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I vi Cassia, the 



METHODIST NEW CONNEXION CHURCH 



OF CANADA, 



WITH THE RITUAL AND AN INDEX, 



REVISED AND CORRECTED BY A COMMITTEE APPOINTED 
BY THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 



i, <S>. m. : 



PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AT THE CONFERENCE OFFICE, DUNDAS 
STREET WEST, AND SOLD BY ALL THE MINISTERS ; 

1866. 



ADVERTISEMENT TO THE PRESENT EDITION, 



In presenting a new edition of our .Discipline to the 
members of our beloved Denomination, we are called 
upon to express our unfeigned gratitude to the Great 
Head of the Church for the great success which He has 
been pleased to vouchsafe to our efforts in this Province. 
This is strikingly exhibited by a comparison of our num- 
bers, resources, and influence of the present year with 
those of 1841, the year in which the first edition of this 
book was published. " According to this time it shall 
be said of Jacob and Israel, what hath God wrought." 

Many of the fathers of our Church have fallen asleep. 
May the present generation prove themselves worthy 
successors of those who now inherit the promises ! May 
our tribe ever be foremost in the great vocation of 
Methodism : u to spread scriptural holiness over these 
lands." 

The present edition of the Book of Discipline has 
been carefully revised, and many errors in the older 
editions corrected. All the legislation up to the close 
of last Conference is consolidated, and a general alpha- 
betical index has been introduced, which will prove an 
invaluable assistant in finding, in a moment, any sub- 
ject required. Owing to our distance from the press, a 
few typographical inaccuracies may have crept in, but 
even in this respect it will compare favourably with 
other works The typographical execution of the work 
is very superior, and is no discredit to our Connexional 
Printing Concern. 

W. T. 

April 5th, 1866. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



Introduction v 

Terms of Union ix 

SECTION I. 

Of Candidates and Admission into Society 12 

SECTION II. 

Concerning Members of Society 13 

SECTION III. 
Mode of Church Government — Society Meetings 17 

SECTION IV. 

Trial of Accused Members 19 

SECTION V. 

Leaders — Leaders' Meetings — Society Stewards - 21 

SECTION VI. 
Quarterly Meetings 26 

SECTION VII. 

Circuit Stewards 30 

SECTION" VIII. 
Concerning'Circuit Ministers, Local Elders, Local 
Preachers, Exhorters^ and Local Preachers' 

Meetings 32 

SECTION IX. 

Preachers' Salaries . 47 

SECTION X. 

District Meetings ---- T 48 



CONTENTS. 



SECTION XI. page 
Missions 50 

SECTION XII. 
The Annual Conference 52 

SECTION XIII. 
Annual Committee.-... - 58 

SECTION XIY. 
Religious Ordinances . . 60 

SECTION XV. 
Doctrines of the Church. «- 61 

SECTION XVI. 

Churches and Connexional Funds - .'- - 62 

SECTION XVII. 
Superannuated Preachers' Annuitant Society 65 

THE RITUAL ; 
Or, Forms for the Administration of Religious 

Ordinances . , 72 

Form of a General Deed of Trust 97 

Appendix 107 

Index. 



INTRODUCTION 



PREFIXED TO THE EDITION OF 1841. 



Tip Annual Committee authorized by the Conference 
to prepare a book of Discipline applicable to the present 
state of the Connexion, before entering upon their work, 
deem it necessary to give some account of the two 
Bodies that have united — of the manner in which the 
union was formed — and of the position in which they 
now stand. 

The Canadian Wesleyan Methodists seceded from the 
Episcopal Methodist Church in Canada in 1829, in order 
to secure a more liberal and scriptural form of Church 
Government, by uniting the people with the Ministers 
in all legislative and judicial acts, still retaining the 
doctrines and ordinances of that body. 

The Methodist New Connexion seceded from the Wes- 
leyan Methodist body in England in 1797, influenced 
by similar reasons, and desirous of accomplishing the 
same great objects as their brethren in Canada. During 
the early years of their existence, they had to endure 
severe trials from various causes ; but they had especi- 
ally to endure all manner of obloquy and persecution 
from certain parties on account of maintaining and de- 
fending those principles of Eeligious freedom which are 
the patrimony of every man, and the chartered boon of 

B 



vi 



INTRODUCTION. 



every Christian. In a few years, however, they out- 
lived the unmerited calumnies which were cast upon 
them ; and, through the Divine blessing, were favored 
with peace and spiritual prosperity. 

For more than twenty years they have supported a 
Mission in Ireland ; that Mission has gradually enlarged, 
so that at the present time they have more than twenty 
Missionaries in the field preaching in English and in 
Irish, besides a number of Scripture Readers. For the 
last five years that Mission has progressed with great 
rapidity, so that by its increased means of usefulness, it 
is gradually becoming a greater blessing to the inhabi- 
tants of that morally benighted country. 

For many years past, the Methodists of the New Con- 
nexion have been convinced, from a view of the spiritual 
destitution of many parts of the world, and of the 
means which God has placed at their disposal, that it 
was their imperative duty to open a foreign Mission. 
For several successive Conferences the subject was dis- 
cussed. At length the Canadas were fixed upon as the 
scene of their benevolent operations. Several reasons 
brought them to the conclusion, that the Canadas pre- 
sented the strongest claims to their sympathies. In 
1837, at the Conference held in Leeds, they appointed 
an Agent, (Mr. Addyman) to visit the Canadas, and to 
select a field of labor for himself and other Missionaries 
that would be sent. The Agent commenced his Mis- 
sionary work in Lower Canada, where the Almighty, by 
a singular providence, opened his way into many impor- 
tant and destitute places, which are now occupied by 
other agents of the same body. 

In the early part of 1840, the agent made a tour 
through a great part of the Upper Province, for the 
purpose of ascertaining its spiritual state, and its gen- 
eral means of Religious instruction. During that tour^ 



INTRODUCTION. 



vii 



he became acquainted with the Canadian Wesleyan 
Methodists at Hamilton. A union was then suggested, 
and from various considerations, and particularly from 
a routine of coincident circumstances, it did appear that 
such a Union was favored by Divine providence. At 
the ensuing Conference of the Canadian Wesleyan Meth- 
odists, held at Cavan in 1840, the representatives of the 
two bodies met together, and adopted terms of union 
subject to the approval or disapproval of each body. 
Generally, the terms of union were approved, and at 
the Annual Conference in 1841, held at Hamilton, the 
union was unanimously consummated. In consequence 
of the change occasioned by the union, it was deemed 
necessary by the Conference that a new Book of Disci- 
pline should be immediately prepared. The Annual 
Committee were therefore requested to direct their 
attention to that important business. 

Having given the above explanation of the reason 
which led us to publish this Book of Discipline, we now 
send it forth amongst you, with our fervent prayers for 
your happiness and prosperity. 

We hope to see this little work extensively circulated ; 
for nothing is more important, next to a knowledge of 
the word of God, than that our own members should be 
well acquainted with the Doctrines we teach, and the 
Discipline by which we are governed, and trained to 
habits of usefulness and fitness for heaven. 

The Rules contained in this Book will be your guide. 
They provide for the peculiarity of Missionary opera- 
tions, for maturing the Missionary stations, and for 
their settlement into regular circuits. They provide 
also for the government of your various Meetings and 
Ofiices, and for the maintenance of that wholesome 
discipline amongst you, which is essential to your indi- 
vidual comfort, and to your collective welfare. 



viii 



INTRODUCTION. 



Most devoutly do we pray, that Preachers and People 
may be united as the heart of one man ; that whilst 
walking by these rules, both your piety and usefulness 
may be promoted, and that the great Head of the 
Church may pour out His Spirit, and abundantly prosper 
you, through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and glory 
for ever. 



TERMS OF UNION. 



1. That the Local Preachers now in the Canadian 
Wesleyan Methodist Church be entitled to stand in the 
same relations to the united body, and enjoy "the same 
privileges they now do in the Canadian Wesleyan 
Church. And all Local Preachers hereafter received, 
shall submit to the Eules, and graduate according to 
the Regulations of the Methodist New Connexion, and 
enjoy such privileges as it provides. 

2. That the forms for Sacraments, Marriages and Or- 
dination of Elders, used among the Canadian Wesley- 
an s, be retained. 

8. That the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist Circuit 
Preachers be received into the united body, according to 
their various standings in that community. 

4. That for the present, the name of the united body 
be the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connexion. 

5. That twenty pounds per annum (subject to future 
alteration, as the case may require), be allowed from 
the English Missionary fund towards the support of a 
married, and twelve pounds, per annum, towards the 
support of a single preacher. These sums to form the 
maximum of allowance, and that it be left to the dis- 
cretion of the Superintendent of the Mission, with the 
assistance of the Conference, to apportion the grants 
with a due regard to economy, and the necessities of 
each particular case. 



X 



TERMS OF UNION. 



6. That a Paternal and Beneficent Fund be established, 
for the encouragement of which the Missionary Society 
agree to grant the sum of thirty pounds annually to 
each fund, until, in the judgment of the Conference, it 
shall not be longer necessary. 

7. The Canadian Conference to have the direction of 
the work in Canada, assisted by the representative of 
the Methodist New Connexion in England, as the 
Superintendent of the Mission, who shall be a member 
of the Canadian Conference ex-officio, and Corresponding 
Member of the Annual Committee . It will be the duty 
of said representative, or general superintendent, to see 
that all engagements connected with claims on the 
Mission Fund are faithfully performed, and to assist the 
Conference to carry out the benevolent plans contem- 
plated by the union. 

8. That to ensure, so far as prudential means can 
accomplish the^object, a supply of suitable Preachers 
for the wants of the united body, the Wesleyville 
Institution be established to afford the means of instruc- 
tion for a limited period. And that in the first instance, 
suitable young men, connected with the religious 
community in Canada, be selected, or young men 
recommended from England by the Missionary Com- 
mittee. 

9. That the stations of the Methodist New Connexion 
in the Eastern part of this province (formerly called 
Lower Canada) be united with the Canadian Conference. 

10. As Missionary exertions are employed to gather 
precious souls into the Church of Christ, and extend the 
Bedeemer's Kingdom, so the exertions of the English. 
Methodist New Connexion Missionary Society will be 
directed to the establishment of an active, prosperous, 
permanent and distinct community in Canada. That 
as this important end is attained by the formation of 



TEBMS OF UNION. 



xi 



circuits, the introduction of the system, and the Mis- 
sionary stations becoming so many parts of the body, 
in that proportion the influence of the English Connex- 
ion shall cease in its concerns ; and the body in Canada 
shall become a distinct religious community, united 
only to the Brethren in England in Christian love, and 
in those kind offices which will always be proper and 
acceptable. 



DOCTRINES AND DISCIPLINE 

OF THE 

METHODIST NEW CONNEXION CHURCH 

OF CANADA. 



SECTION I. 

OF CANDIDATES AND ADMISSION INTO SOCIETY. 

1 . Personsldesirous of uniting with our Societies are 
required to evidence an earnest concern for the salva- 
tion of their [souls, by a diligent attendance on our 
means of grace, and by ceasing to do evil, and learning 
to do well. 

2. When persons first begin to meet in Class they 
shall be considered under the watch-care of the Church, 
till they give satisfactory evidence of their religious ex- 
perience, then they shall be received into full connexion 
in the Church. The mode of admission shall be by the 
Preacher, at a Society Meeting, with exhortation and 
prayer. If, however, a person wishes to be received 
more privately, and there is reason for such a wish, the 
Leaders' Meeting, and if there be no Leaders' Meeting, 
the Society Meeting will doubtless endeavour to meet 
such views. 

3. It is expected that those persons who are admitted 



MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. 



13 



into~our Society, should procure a copy of -our Rules, 
that they may make themselves well acquainted with 
our Doctrines and Discipline. 



SECTION II. 

CONCERNING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, 

1. Persons admitted into church-fellowship with us 3 
shall be required to meet weekly in Class, or as fre- 
quently as possible. 

2. For the support of the Ministry amon'gst us, and 
to discharge other pecuniary demands, all our Members 
are required >to contribute quarterly, according to the 
ability with which God hath blest them ; for the laborer 
is worthy of his hire. 

3. All our Members shall diligently attend the public 
and private means of grace with which, as a religious 
community, we are favored : and especially that most 
invaluable ordinance, the Supper of the Lord. 

4. It is the duty of our Members to cultivate a spirit 
of brotherly affection towards one another, and to mani- 
fest this spirit by promoting each other's welfare, 
preferring each other in business, advising each other 
in difficulty, and defending each other in character ; en- 
couraging to duty ; admonishing in error; and restoring 
when fallen ; comforting in distress, visiting in affliction , 
and assisting in need; thus shall we bear each other's 
burdens, and the household of faith will be established* 

5. Should one Member consider himself injured by 
another, he shall conform to our Lord's direction: " If 
thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him 
his fault between thee and him alone ; if he shall hear 



MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. 



tbee, thou hast gained thy brother ; but if he shall not 
hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in 
the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be 
established ; and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell 
it unto the Church, but if he neglect to hear the 
Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a 
publican.' ' Matt, xviii. 15—17. 

6. Brother ought not to go to law with brother, but 
should first endeavour to adjust existing differences 
through the mediation of mutual friends ; and our 
Members are exhorted to submit their differences to this 
reasonable and scriptural mode of adjustment. 

7. Should a Member become insolvent, and make an 
assignment, or become bankrupt, or take the benefit of 
any Legislative Act, whereby he shall not pay his credi- 
tors their full demands,it shall be the duty of the Church 
to inquire into such case, that the character of our 
upright but unfortunate Members may be satisfactorily 
sustained; and that those who are guilty of dishonesty 
may be excluded from amongst us. It is also expected 
lrom those Members who have failed in business, or have 
contracted debts for which they have ceased to be legally 
responsible, that, if they afterwards become possessed of 
property, they pay, as soon as possible, their former 
deficiencies, and fulfil their former contracts. 

8. If a brother be overtaken in a fault, his Leader 
shall be informed thereof ; when such Leader shall 
endeavour to restore his offending brother with faithful- 
ness and affection, 

9. Members omitting to meet in class one quarter 
without assigning a satisfactory reason to the Leader's 
meeting, or to the Preacher and Leader, where there is 
no Leader's Meeting, shall be visited and admonished, 
and if they afterwards wilfully neglect, for the same 
period, they shall be considered as having with- 



MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. 



15 



drawn from us, when the Leader shall state the cir- 
cumstances to his class, for its information. But 
should they withdraw while guilty of practices which 
render them liable to expulsion, they shall be excluded 
by the Preacher, in the presence of the Society of which 
they are members, unless the Leaders' Meeting or 
society shall judge such proceedings inexpedient. 

10. Any Member guilty of causing disturbances, of 
indulging in slandering or tale-bearing, of refusing to 
pay his lawful debts, of propagating false doctrines, or 
refusing to be governed by our rules, or of immoral con- 
duct, shall, for the first offence, be reproved ; for the 
second be suspended from the enjoyment of church 
privileges for such time as shall be deemed necessary ; 
and for the third be expelled. But should the crime be 
flagrant or notorious, then upon due evidence thereof, 
he shall be put out immediately. 

11. Members removing from one class to another 
should explain to their Leader or to the Leaders' meet- 
ing their reasons for so doing, and when removing from 
one Circuit to another, they shall take with them a tes- 
timonial from the Superintendent or the Leaders' meet- 
ing, certifying that they are in good standing with the 
Church from which they are removing. 

12. As forming part of the universal Church of Christ, 
our people are called upon to entertain liberal feelings, 
and to cherish a friendly disposition towards professing 
Christians of other denominations ; and to evidence the 
same by allowing them a place at the Supper of the 
Lord, and in other social means of grace, by rendering 
them the kind offices of brethren, by giving them an 
interest in our prayers, and by rejoicing in their pros- 
perity. 

13. It is incumbent upon our Members, under the 
various circumstances, and in all the relations in which 



16 



MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. 



they are placed by Divine Providence, to exercise 
themselves to have a conscience void of offence towards 
God and man. As to their private duties, they should 
examine themselves whether they be in the faith, pos- 
sessing the power as well as the form of godliness, and 
growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord 
Jesus Christ ; they should search the Scriptures daily ; 
be regular in secret prayer ; frequent in devout medita- 
tion ; and in all things, walk humbly with God. As 
husbands and wives, they are to be patterns of fidelity ; 
helpers to each other in their worldly cares, and in the 
way to heaven . As parents, it devolves upon them to 
provide for the temporal and spiritual wants of their 
children ; attending to their instruction, leading them 
to the house of God, confirming their precepts by a holy 
example, and crowning the whole by their strict atten- 
tion to the exercises of family devotion. The pious 
children united with us are, by their good conduct, to be 
the joy and comfort of their parents ; behaving towards 
them with affection, and rendering to them due obe- 
dience ; administering to them in necessity, and support- 
ing them in old age. As members of civil society, it is 
the duty of all our people to submit themselves to 
the constituted authority of the state to maintain the 
laws of the land: to promote peace and good order 
around them, and to implore the divine blessing on 
kings, governors, magistrates, and on all classes of our 
fellow subjects. As masters and servants, they are to be 
exemplary in performing their respective duties ; as 
neighbors, to be kind ; as friends, to be confidential ; 
and to be courteous and benevolent in all their social 
intercourse. In the world, our people are to be diligent 
in business, punctual in their engagements, and upright 
in their dealings ; useful in public offices, and faithful in 
all their trusts ; to be patterns of temperance and fru- 



CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND INSTRUCTION. 17 



gality, avoiding places of dissipation and public amuse- 
ment ; to flee the appearance of evil, and to delight in 
the company of the righteous. They should never 
forget the high character which Christians are to sustain 
as the " salt of the earth," and the "light of the 
world ;" and that it is expressly enjoined by the great 
Head of the Church Himself: " Let your light so shine 
before men, that they may see your good works and 
glorify your Father which is in heaven." 

SECTION III. 

CONCERNING THE GOVERNMENT AND INSTRUCTION OF THE 
CHURCH. 

1 . The Govern ment of each Church or Society in our 
connexion is vested in itself ; and is exercised partly by 
the members of the whole Church assembled together, 
and partly by chosen brethren denominated Leaders 
and Stewards, who generally meet every week for this 
purpose. 

2. These separate Churches, whenever it is necessary 
or expedient, are united in a federation of Churches 
called a Circuit ; which circuit is watched over, in- 
stiucted, and regulated by Ministers and other Church 
Officers appointed for the purpose, and meeting once every 

• three months, and sometimes on special occasions, in a 
meeting or Conference called the Quarterly Confer- 
ence of the Circuit, 

3. The Connexional element, Scriptural in itself, and 
producing the happiest results in the mutual relation 
and combined action of Churches, is further applied and 
developed in the union of these Circuits into Districts ; 
and also in the combination of the whole of the Churches 
in one general Connexional relation, represented and 
regulated by an annual meeting of Ministers and Lay 



18 



SOCIETY MEETINGS. 



Brethren appointed by the Circuits ; and which assem- 
bly is called the Annuax Conference of the Connexion. 
The Rules relating to these institutions of Government 
and Instruction follow in order. 

SOCIETY MEETINGS. 

1 . These meetings shall be held wherever it is practi- 
cable, at least once a quarter, and the conveners of them 
shall be the Circuit Preacher or Society Stewards, or 
both acting in concert. The principal object of these 
meetings is the spiritual edification of the Church, by 
exhortation on the part of the Minister present, by 
prayer and other religious exercises. The Members 
shall be specially and faithfully admonished respecting 
their personal religion and Christian deportment, their 
closet and family duties, and their attendance on our 
private and public means of Grace. At these meetings, 
portions of the rules relating to private members shall 
be read over occasionally, so as, if possible, to insure 
the whole being Tead once a year. 

2. The miscellaneous business of Society Meetings in- 
cludes : The election of Society Stewards ; the reception 
of the Society's financial accounts; the expression of 
their views respecting any of the brethren proposed for 
the Ministry, and the election of the Representatives to 
the Quarterly Conference ; they shall also make the 
return of Members of the Church to the quarterly meet- 
ing, preparatory to forwarding them to the Annual Con- 
ference ; and lastly, to record their votes for the election 
of Lay Representatives to the Annual Conference. But 
as a diversity exists in our Circuits as to the mode of 
electing these last named Church Officers, each Society 
shall regulate its action in such elections by the rule or 
custom of the Circuit to which it belongs. 



TRIAL OF ACCUSED MEMBERS, 19 



3. In the formation of a new Church, the members 
thereof shall have the appointment, in conjunction 
with the Circuit Preacher, of the Leader or Leaders, but 
when churches are organized, the Leaders' meeting shall 
nominate the Leaders and the Class concur in the ap- 
pointment, according to Section Y. Clause II, 

4. In making returns of Members of Congregations,, 
all shall be regarded as such, who are known adherents- 
of our Church, and attend our services. 



SECTION IV. 

MODE OF BRINGING AN ACCUSED MEMBER TO TRIAL. 

1. No accused person, whether Preacher or Layman r 
shall be expelled or suspended from the enjoyment of 
his Church privileges, until he has had a fair trial 
according to rule. 

2. Every accused person shall have sent to him offi- 
cially a copy of the charges preferred against him, one 
week previous to trial, that he may be prepared to 
examine witnesses, and make his defence on his trial. 

3. The Quarterly, or a Special Circuit Meeting, shall 
be competent to inquire into any charge brought against 
any Circuit Preacher, in regard to immoral conduct, 
preaching false doctrine, or gross neglect of duty ; but 
no such charge shall be entertained, unless the Preacher 
has had seven days' previous notice of its nature, and of 
the time of bringing it forward. In conducting this in- 
quiry, the Meeting shall hear the charge and evidence 
in the presence of the Preacher accused, and also his de- 
fence against the same ; after which it shall determine, 
in the fear of God, and if necessary, it shall suspend the 



20 TRIAL OF ACCUSED MEMBERS. 

Preacher till the ensuing Conference ; subject to the 
right of appeal as provided for in our discipline. When 
circumstances allow, the Superintendent Preacher, or 
Circuit Stewards, shall previously consult or obtain the 
assistance of the Annual Committee, and in all cases 
shall give an early account of its proceedings to the Cor- 
responding Member of the Annual Committee. 

4. Every Layman shall be tried by the Leaders' Meet- 
ing, in the presence of the Preacher ; but where there 
is no Leaders' Meeting, the Society to which the ac- 
cused belongs, with the Superintendent Preacher, or 
in his absence one of his Brethren shall be competent 
to try the accused person. But should the accused ob- 
ject to this mode of trial, and be able to make it appear 
to the Executive Preacher, that he is not likely to obtain 
justice, then, he may be tried by a Committee of five 
persons ; two to be chosen by the accused, two by the 
accuser : the Preacher to form the fifth, who shall be 
Chairman, and have the casting vote ; and in case 
either the accused or the accuser, or both, refuse to se- 
lect the said Committee, the Executive Preacher shall 
supply the lack. But if the Executive Preacher be a 
party implicated, then the Chairman of the District 
shall choose the fifth member ; and if the Chairman of 
the District be himself implicated, then the next oldest 
Preacher in the District shall make the choice. 

5. No person preferring a charge against any Minis- 
ter or Lay Member, nor any witness proving or disprov- 
ing a charge shall be allowed to vote in the trial result- 
ing from said accusation. 

6. Should any accused Member feel himself aggrieved 
by the decision of the Meeting appointed to try his case, 
he shall have the liberty of appealing to the Quarterly 
Conference of the Circuit, upon giving the Superin- 
tendent one week's notice of his intention. 



LEADERS. 



21 



SECTION V. 

LEADERS AND STEWARDS AND THEIR MEETINGS* 

LEADERS. 

1. It is essential that every person who enters upon 
the important office of Leader, should possess the fol- 
lowing qualifications : 1. Sound Christian experience. 
2. Holiness of life, 3. Clear views of the gospel. 4. 
That degree of aptness to teach, which will render him 
acceptable. 5. Approved stability and attachment to 
our system. 6. A firm determination to maintain our 
discipline. 7. Affection for the souls intrusted to his 
care. And 8. A full purpose of heart to be useful to his 
Class, to his Brethren, and to the world. 

2. In appointing a Leader, the following method shall 
be adopted. The Class shall be entitled to recommend 
a person to the consideration of the Leaders' Meeting ; 
but the Leaders' Meeting shall have the right of nomi- 
nating for the office. The nomination made by the 
Leaders shall be communicated, first, to the Class, and 
then to the person proposed, for his concurrence. If 
either dissent, a second nomination shall take place, 
and so on till a suitable person shall be found. In new 
or small societies, where there is no Leaders' Meeting,, 
the appointment of Leader shall rest with the Superin- 
tendent Preacher of the Circuit, and the Members of the 
Class. The brother who has been chosen shall then be 
furnished with a copy of the following questions, which 
he shall be required to answer as in the presence of God, 
either at the next Leaders' Meeting, or at a meeting 
appointed for the purpose. 



22 



LEADERS. 



1. Do you believe in the fall and universal deprav- 

ity of man ? 

2. Do you believe in the divinity of Christ ? 

3. Do you believe that Christ died for all men ? 

4. Do you believe in the necessity of repentance, 

faith and holiness ? 

5. Do you believe in the immediate influence of the 

Holy Spirit producing these effects ? 

6. Do you believe in the necessity of holding fast, 

faith, and persevering in good works ? 

7. Have you a clear experience of God's favor? 

8. Have you power over sin ? 

9. Do you approve our rules, and will you enforce 

them? 

10. Will you be faithful in discharging the duties of 
a Leader ? 

Having answered these questions, the brother shall 
retire while the Leaders' Meeting forms its resolution 
thereon, which shall be done with strict impartiality 
and faithfulness. If there appear just ground to set 
aside the nomination, it shall be communicated to the 
Class, and to the brother concerned in the most tender 
manner ; but if the nomination be confirmed, then the 
brother appointed shall be called in again, and be 
received into office by exhortation and prayer. 

3. A Leader may have an Assistant when necessary ; 
who shall be nominated and chosen as the Leader. 
The Assistant shall lead the Class in the absence of the 
Leader, and, that he may receive his advice, occasion- 
ally in his presence ; he shall assist the Leader in all the 
duties appertaining to his office ; but shall not release the 
Leader from his proper responsibilities. 

4. Each Leader shall meet his class weekly, and after 
singing and prayer, relate his own religious experience ; 
he shall then inquire into the spiritual state of his 



LEADERS. 



23 



Members, administering to them, with all long-suffering 
and faithfulness, that encouragement, instruction, and 
reproof, which their cases require. His manner shall be 
affectionate and lively ; and at the close of the Meeting 
he shall call over the names of his members, inquire 
after those that are absent and the cause of their 
absence, which he shall note down in his Class Book, 
that it may be a faithful index to the state of his Class. 
He shall especially visit his sick Members; comfort 
those who are in distress ; seek after the negligent ; and 
endeavor to restore those that are fallen. He shall 
urge his Members to a punctual attendance on the 
Lord's Supper and all other means of grace. 

5. A Meeting, consisting of the Leaders, Society 
Stewards, Circuit Preachers, and a Representative for 
each Female and Circuit Preacher's Class, shall regulate 
the affairs of each Society and public place of worship. 
Such Meeting shall be held at a convenient hour, 
weekly or once a fortnight, as may be found necessary, 
and shall be opened with singing, and be concluded in 
seasonable time with prayer. 

6. The Leaders' Meeting shall carefully attend to all 
those affairs which come within its province, viz. , the 
regular payment of Class-money into the hands of the 
Steward ; directing or sanctioning the disbursements ; 
an examination of the Class Books, with special in- 
quiry after the sick, that they may be visited ; filling up 
vacancies or electing new officers ; determining on no- 
tices for the pulpit, and the times of such announce- 
ments ; and superintending all other matters which ap- 
pertain to the Society. It shall also be the duty of the 
Leaders to consider what plans of usefulness may be de- 
vised ; zealously and prayerfully carrying them out into 
actual and continued operation. 

7. The Leader's Meeting shall co-operate with the 



24 



SOCIETY STEWARDS. 



Preachers, in carrying into effect the Rules of the Con- 
nexion and the Resolutions of Conference ; so that 
proper discipline may be maintained, and the hands of 
our Preachers be strengthened in the duties with which 
they are intrusted. 

8. It is hereby declared that a meeting for the pur- 
poses contemplated in clause 6 of this Section is an 
assemblage of the Leaders and Officers in each particular 

i Society ; and not of the Leaders from the whole of the 
Societies in the Circuit. . % 

SOCIETY STEWARDS. 

9. To each Society there shall be two Stewards chosen 
from its members, one of whom shall act as Treasurer, 
and the other as Secretary, agreeably to their appoint- 
ment : they shall be persons of stability ; acquainted 
with our Rules, and attached to our system ; men of 
order and diligence, discreet in the management of their 
own arTairs, and able to manage the temporal concerns 
of the Society. Providing other suitable brethren can 
be found to undertake the office, neither Local Preachers 
nor Leaders shall be chosen for Society Stewards. 

10. The Society Stewards shall be nominated by the 
Leaders' Meeting, (but where there is no Leaders' Meet- 
ing, by the Superintendent) and appointed by a Socie- 
ty's Meeting, to be held immediately after the February 
Quarterly Meeting. They shall be changed or re-elected 
annually ; but should they at any time prove unworthy 
of their office, or become unable to perform its duties, 
the Leaders' Meeting, after full investigation, shall rep- 
resent the case to the Society, that they may be removed 
from their Stewardship, and others be immediately 
appointed in their place. 

11. The Treasurer Steward shall take charge of light- 



SOCIETY STEWARDS. 



25 



ing and cleaning the chapel, and of all other matters 
and arrangements connected with the comfortable 
maintenance of divine worship : he shall prepare the 
provision for the Lord's Supper and Love Feasts, and see 
that the collections arising therefrom (after defraying 
expenses) are distributed each quarter amongst the 
poor Members, or are otherwise disposed of, under the 
direction of the Leaders' Meeting. He shall take 
charge of and receive all Society and Conference Collec- 
tions and pay them over accor ding to the Eules of the 
Connexion ; he shall also receive the monies at the 
Leaders' Meeting and discharge the current demands 
thereon : he shall pay the proper quarterage for the So- 
ciety into the hand of the Circuit Steward at or before 
the Quarterly Meeting, and the Leaders' Meeting shall 
take care to supply him from time to time with the 
means of making these payments, that the Society may- 
be kept clear of debt, and its affairs be agreeably con- 
ducted. 

12. The Secretary Steward shall keep the accounts, 
but the books shall be accessible to his colleague: he 
shall also prepare or revise notes for the pulpit ; he 
shall enter the proceedings at the Leaders' Meetings ; 
bring before them the order of business to be transacted ; 
he shall assist at the Collections and Love Feasts. He 
shall bring forward the Members on trial, and register 
those who are admitted into Society: he shall enter 
correctly, and keep the names ©f the Members, Class by- 
Class, with the places of abode : and otherwise faithful- 
ly perform the duties of his office. 

13. The Secretary Steward shall prepare a state- 
ment of the Society's receipts, distinguishing the 
several Collections, and the amount raised by each 
Class ; and also a detailed account of the disbursements, 
to be submitted to the first Leaders' Meeting after each 



26 



QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 



Quarterly Meeting, accompanied with the proper 
vouchers ; and these accounts, after being duly approved, 
balanced and signed by the Chairman in its behalf, 
shall be read over at the next Fellowship or Weeknight 
Meeting of the Society, for its information. 



SECTION VI. 

QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 

1. In each Circuit, there shall be a Quarterly Meeting 
for transacting its general business, to be held in Febru- 
ary, May, August, and November, at such time and 
place as shall be agreed upon, which shall be duly 
published. 

2. The Quarterly Meeting shall be composed of the 
Circuit Preachers, and Circuit Stewards, the Secretary of 
the Local Preachers, who shall take their seats ex officio ; 
also of Representatives of the people chosen from the 
Local Preachers, Leaders, Trustees (being Members), and 
other experienced persons from our different Societies. 
Each Society shall send one or more Representative 
according to the number of its Members ; the propor- 
tion or scale to be fixed by the May Quarterly Meeting 
of each Circuit, as shall also the mode in which the 
votes shall be taken in the election of representatives ; 
but any other Members of Society shall, nevertheless, 
have free admission to the Quarterly Meetings, with 
liberty to give their opinions, subject to the regulation 
of the Chairman, and of a majority of the Meeting, but 
they are not to vote. 

3. The Quarterly Meeting shall begin and conclude 
with singing and prayer. Christian temper should 
govern both the language and deliberations of the 



QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 27 



Meeting. The Chairman should act with impartiality r 
and his authority therefore must be maintained. 

4. The Quarterly Meeting shall pay the Preachers' 
salaries, and other incidental expenses, agreeably to the- 
Rules of the Connexion ; they shall also pay the 
expenses of the Representatives (if required) to and from 
Conference ; they shall likewise pay for the Minutes 
ordered on behalf of the Circuits, and all other just 
demands chargeable on that Meeting. 

5. The Quarterly Meeting shall fix what each Society 
shall contribute, according to its numbers and privi- 
leges, keeping in mind the ability of each Society, and 
also its local expenses ; and it shall be the duty of each 
Quarterly Meeting to adapt its expenditures to its 
income, so that every demand may be punctually 
discharged. 

6. The Quarterly Meeting shall determine on any 
alteration in the number of Preachers, governing itself 
as far as possible by the wishes of the Societies inter- 
ested : it shall also admit new places for preaching, or 
set others aside, which have been tried to no purpose : 
it shall have power to apply to the Annual Committee 
for temporary supplies of preaching during the sickness 
of a Preacher, or for any additional labor that may be 
wanted ; it shall also determine upon matters of appeal 
with impartiality and wisdom, or refer them to Confer- 
ence as it shall see proper. 

7. The Quarterly meeting shall admit persons on the 
Plan as Exhorters, and Local Preachers on trial, pass 
them through the several stages of their probation, 
and afterwards receive them into office as full Local 
Preachers. It shall also recommend Local Preachers to 
be taken out to travel ; determine upon and prepare the 
Ministers' testimonials at the May Quarterly Meeting - y 
and appoint or confirm the appointment of Representa- 



28 QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 



tives to Conference ; and, lastly, prepare the Ministers' 
Certificates ; the whole according to the Rules laid down 
on these several heads. 

8. Whenever a Quarterly Meeting shall judge it need- 
ful to divide a Circuit, or to employ an additional 
Preacher, a copy of the resolution passed to that effect 
shall be sent to Conference, where the matter shall be 
considered and decided upon. 

9. The number of Minutes wanted for the following year • 
shall be ascertained at the May Quarterly Meeting, and 
the Representatives be instructed to order them at the 
charge of the Circuit. 

10. The February Quarterly Meeting shall nominate 
persons from whom the Lay Representative shall be 
chosen, each Circuit adopting its own mode of election ; 
and the May Quarterly Meeting shall either appoint or 
confirm the appointment of such Representative, requir- 
ing from him a pledge that he will attend all the sit- 
tings of Conference, and furnishing both him and the 
Minister whom it sends, with the necessary credentials 
and instructions. 

11. In case a Lay Delegate, duly nominated and ap- 
pointed by the suffrages of the Societies and Quarterly 
Meeting, becomes in any wise disqualified from attend- 
ing Conference, it is legal and proper for the final Quar- 
terly Meeting of a Circuit to nominate and appoint an- 
other person to that office without referring the 
candidate to the Membership for election. 

12. A Special Circuit Meeting to be constituted as the 
Quarterly Meeting, may be called by the Superintendent 
and Circuit Steward, or either of them, whenever cir- 
cumstances may in their judgment render it necessary. 
A circular, stating the object for which the Meeting is 
called, and the time and place for holding it, shall be 
addressed to the Stewards of each Society, and to all the 



QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 



29 



official persons specified in the Eules for constituting a 
Quarterly Meeting, at least three days before it takes 
place, that sufficient opportunity may be afforded for 
deliberating and electing Eepresentatives to attend the 
Meeting according to Eule. The said Meeting shall be 
fully competent to determine on the matters for which 
it was called, but on no other, and its resolutions in re- 
gard to such matters shall be binding ; but unless the 
meeting be so called and constituted, it shall be con- 
sidered irregular, and its proceedings of no effect. 

13. The following questions shall be proposed at each 
May Quarterly Meeting ; the answer to which shall be 
entered in the Circuit Book, and a certified copy thereof 
be forwarded along with the Credentials to Conference. 

1. Eespecting a single Preacher: — Has he been 
comfortably accommodated through the year 
with board, lodging, and with suitable oppor- 
tunities for pursuing his studies ? 

9 2. Eespecting a married Preacher: — Have his 
demands on the Circuit been regularly paid ? 
Has he been provided with a suitable house ? 

3. Eespecting the Superintendent: — Has he been 
properly supported in maintaining discipline, 
and in enforcing the laws of the Connexion ? 

14. The Quarterly and Special Circuit Meetings shall 
support the Preachers in carrying into effect the Laws of 
the Connexion and the Eesolutions of Conference, that 
proper discipline may be maintained in our Circuits ; 
and it shall also be the endeavour of those Meetings, on 
all occasions, to go hand in hand with the Trustees of 
our Chapels, and to consult them in those matters 
where their rights and interests are concerned. The 

* Note.— The answer to this question shall shew positively 
either the amount actually paid him by the Circuit, or the 
real deficiency of the year. 

C 



30 



CIRCUIT STEWARDS. 



Quarterly Meeting shall call over the names of the 
Preachers, both Itinerant and Local, and shall inquire 
into any charges which may be preferred, either for 
neglect of official duty, or improper conduct. 

15. Each May Quarterly Meeting shall send a docu- 
ment to the Annual Conference, signed by the Chairman 
and Secretary, stating that the character of the 
Preacher in full connexion has been brought under 
consideration according to Rule. 

16. Any Circuit refusing to receive the Minister 
appointed to it by the Conference, unless it can show the 
Annual Committee that it has just cause for such refusal, 
shall receive no appointment from the Conference for 
said year, nor any money granted to said Circuit for 
any purpose whatever. 



SECTION VII. 

CIRCUIT STEWARDS. 

1. Each Circuit shall have two Stewards for the 
management of its temporal affairs. They shall be 
Members of our Society, attached to our system, con- 
versant with our rules, of approved stability, accustomed 
to business, and if possible having the means as well as 
the disposition to serve the Circuit. They shall be 
appointed or re-appointed at the February Quarterly 
Meeting, and shall continue two years in office, the 
Senior retiring each year, to make room for his succes- 
sor ; but the Quarterly Meeting shall have power to 
change either or both of them, should they deem it 
proper, and also to remove them from office, at any 
time, when, after due investigation, that step shall be 
judged necessary. 



CIRCUIT STEWARDS. 



31 



2. It shall be their province to attend the Quarterly- 
Meeting, and to see that suitable provision is made for its 
accommodation : they shall receive the payments of 
the different Societies and disburse them according to 
the order of the Meeting ; they shall enter the receipts 
and payments, and duly balance them ; they shall re- 
cord the Resolutions of the Meeting, and read both them 
and the accounts over at its close ; they shall assist the 
Superintendent Preacher in preparing a Minute of the 
business to be transacted, and also aid him in carrying 
the Resolutions into effect. They shall be considered 
Members of the Quarterly Meeting from the Meeting 
next following their appointment. 

3. It shall likewise be their duty to provide houses 
and the necessary furniture for the Preachers, under the 
direction of the Quarterly, or a Special Circuit Meeting ; 
see to any urgent repairs being done, and any pressing 
wants supplied in the interval betwixt the Quarterly 
Meetings, but limited to such amount as the rule of the 
Circuit shall determine. They shall take an annual 
inventory of the furniture in each house, examine into 
its condition, and lay a true statement thereof before 
the quarterly meeting previous to Conference. 

4. They shall annually register in the Circuit Books 
the names of all the Members in each Society. Class by 
Class, receive the yearly, and other Collections belong- 
ing to their department ; enter the particulars into the 
Circuit Book, and pay the amount to the Lay Represen- 
tative, for the disposal of Conference. They shall bring 
forward the choice of Representative in due course, and 
prepare, according to Rule, their credentials, and all 
other Circuit documents to be sent to Conference. 

5. So far as may be practicable, the two Stewards 
shall divide the duties of their office, after the manner 
of the Society Stewards, as may best suit their conve- 



32 



LOCAL PREACHERS. 



nience, rendering each other all needful assistance ; but 
should they reside in different parts of the Circuit, each 
shall take charge of his separate District, under the reg- 
ulations of the Quarterly Meeting. 



SECTION VIII. 

MINISTERS. 

1. When any of our Members feel desirous of acting 
as Exhorters, their wishes shall be signified to the 
Leaders' Meeting, and where there is no Leaders' Meet- 
ing, to the Superintendent Preacher, who shall judge 
of their fitness for the work. 

2. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent Preach- 
er to give thern suitable appointments, till he has had 
an opportunity of deciding whether they are competent 
to be placed upon the plan as regular Exhorters. 

S. When exhorters are acknowledged by the Quarter- 
ly Meeting, and receive appointments on the Plan, 
they shall be subject to the authority of that meeting ; 
which shall take them under its charge, regulate their 
duties, encourage the meritorious, and set aside those 
who are negligent or unacceptable. 

4. The Exhorters shall address the people on the 
most necessary spiritual subjects ; they shall be lively 
and affectionate in their manner ; and their exhorta- 
tions shall be short, pointed, and practical. 

LOCAL PREACHERS' AND THEIR MEETINGS. 

5. It is essential that all our Local Preachers be 
experimentally acquainted with the things of God, and 
adorn that Gospel which they preach ; they should have 



LOCAL PBEACHERS. 



83 



correct views of the fundamental doctrines of the 
Gospel, and be able to express their views profitably to 
the people ; they should also feel persuaded of their call 
to the work, and be determined plainly and faithfully to 
proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus. 

6. When any person in exhorting, or other religious 
exercises, has given evidence of such qualifications as 
render it desirable to bring him forward as a Local 
Preacher, he shall first be proposed to the Leaders' 
Meeting belonging to the Society of which he is a 
Member; secondly, to the Local Preachers' Meeting, 
and lastly, to the Quarterly Meeting ; and, on being 
approved by all these Meetings in succession, his name 
shall be entered on the Plan as a Local Preacher on 
trial. 

7. In those places where there is no Leaders' or Local 
Preachers' Meeting, a meeting of the Society of which 
lie is a Member, called for the purpose (at which the 
Superintendent, or a Preacher under his direction, is 
present), shall recommend, and the Quarterly Meeting 
sanction his admission as a Local Preacher on trial. 

8. Local Preachers shall continue four quarters on 
their probation, or so much longer as the Quarterly 
Meeting shall deem expedient. During this term, an 
appointment shall be given them, where it is practicable, 
in each of the principal places in the Circuit, that the 
people may judge of their talents and proficiency; 

9. When a Local Preacher has been on probation 
four quarters, the Local Preachers' Meeting shall con- 
sider his case, and fully express its opinion, whether he 
be qualified for admission on full Plan or not ; this 
opinion shall be entered into the Local Preachers' Book 
of proceedings, and be laid before the ensuing Quarterly 
Meeting. 

10. After a Local Preacher on trial has been approved 



84 



LOCAL PREACHERS. 



by the Local Preachers' Meeting, he shall be proposed, 
during his absence, to the Quarterly Meeting ; and, 
unless it resolve to continue his probation, he shall be 
introduced to the Meeting, and be questioned by the 
Superintendent Preacher ; first, as to his religious expe- 
rience ; second, as to our doctrines, article by article ; 
thirdly, as to our mode of Church government ; fourthly, 
as to his call to and views of preaching the Gospel ; and 
fifthly, as to conforming to the regulations of the Cir- 
cuit, and being zealous in the great work before him. 
After answering these questions, the Candidate shall 
retire while the Meeting considers his replies. If his 
statement be satisfactory to the Meeting, he shall be 
received as a Local Preacher on full Plan, with an 
appropriate address from the Superintendent, and with 
prayer. Should the Quarterly Meeting judge it necessary 
to prolong his trial, a deputation shall be appointed to 
communicate the determination of the Meeting, which 
shall be done with suitable advice. 

11. Should any Local Preacher on trial feel himself 
aggrieved at the Local Preachers' Meeting neglecting to 
consider his case, or at reporting unfavourably thereon 
to the Quarterly Meeting, or at their recommendation 
to lengthen his probation, he shall be entitled to appeal 
to the following Quarterly Meeting, on giving seven 
days' notice thereof to the Superintendent Preacher, or 
Circuit Steward, in writing ; and the Quarterly Meeting 
shall investigate the case, and either reverse or confirm 
what the Local Preachers' Meeting has done. 

12. Every Local Preacher, whether on full Plan or 
on trial, shall conform to the discipline of the Circuit, 
especially in being punctual to his appointments, and 
in attending the Local Preachers' Meetings. And it 
shall be his duty, whenever unable to attend to his 
appointments, to use his utmost endeavours to get 



LOCAL PREACHERS. 



35 



them supplied by one or more of his brethren whose 
names aTe on the Plan. 

13. The Circuit and Local Preachers shall meet once 
in each quarter, previously to the Quarterly Meeting of 
the Circuit, at such time and place as shall be agreed 
upon. 

14. In the absence of the Superintendent Preacher, 
the next Preacher shall act as Chairman ; or in the 
absence of the Circuit Preacher a Local Preacher shall 
be appointed by the Meeting : a Secretary also shall be. 
chosen, who shall record the proceedings and take 
charge of the Minutes thereof, in order to present them 
to the Quarterly Meeting for its decision, in which he 
shall have a seat. 

15. It shall be the duty of the Local Preachers 7 
Meeting to notice such alterations as they think are 
advisable, in the hours or places of preaching, and to 
inquire into any neglect of appointments. For the 
information of the Quarterly Meeting it shall also 
receive the recommendations of the Leaders, or Society 
Meeting as to Exhorters or Local Preachers, examine 
into the conduct and improvement of the brethren on 
trial, and, if required, shall give its opinion on each 
case to the Quarterly Meeting. 

16. The Local Preachers in their Meeting shall en- 
deavour to spend some time in promoting their mental 
and spiritual improvement, and that their meeting may 
be profitable to others as well as to themselves : the 
Meeting shall be so arranged, if possible, that a watch- 
night may be held for public edification. The Meeting 
shall begin and end with prayer. 



36 



MINISTERS. 



LOCAL ELDERS. 

These are brethren, having received ordination as 
Elders, and most of whom have been engaged in the 
Itinerant Ministry. From various causes they are 
located in the Circuits, and hence are called Locd 
Elders. The rules especially affecting them are — 

17. The Local Elders by the terms of union are 
eligible to attend the Annual Conference. 

18. The Local Elders are amenable to the Quarterly 
Conference, and the Quarterly Conference have the 
direction of their labours. 

19. In the event of any Local Elders desiring to 
attend the Annual Conference, it shall be their duty to 
notify in writing the February Quarterly Meeting of the 
Circuit, on which they reside, of such intention, and 
the Quarterly Meeting, if they see fit, shall elect from 
among themselves a suitable layman to accompany 
him ; and both Local Elder and layman shall be fur- 
nished with certificates in the same way as the regular 
Itinerant Ministry. 

MINISTERS OR CIRCUIT PREACHERS. 

20. The qualifications necessary for a Circuit Preacher 
are, sound experience in divine things, exemplary piety, 
acceptable ministerial talents, the fruits of ministerial 
labours, a willingness to bear the hardships of an 
itinerant life, a firm purpose to conform to, as well as 
enforce the discipline of the Connexion, a holy resolu- 
tion to be faithful and persevering in all ministerial 
duties, and in unreserved dedication of time and talents 
to God, for the promotion of his glory and the salvation 
of precious souls. 

21. No persons shall be called out as Circuit Preach- 
ers but such as have been approved by the Society 



MINISTERS. 



37 



where they live, by a majority of the Local Preachers, 
Stewards, and Leaders, forming one Meeting ; by a ma- 
jority of the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit ; and 
lastly, by the District Meeting in whose jurisdiction the 
Circuit is located. 

22. It shall be the duty of the Quarterly Meeting 
faithfully to weigh, and impartially to determine, on 
the merits of every candidate : it shall consider how 
far he possesses the requisite qualifications for the work ? 
and also if he has strength of body equal to the labours 
thereof. If its determination be favourable, then the- 
Candidate shall be called before the Meeting, and the 
Superintendent Preacher shall propose to him the 
following questions, which he shall answer in the fear 
of God. 

1. Have you a lively faith in Christ? and as an 

evidence of it, do you enjoy a sense of the 
divine favour ? 

2. Have you power over sin ? and are you pressing 

after holiness ? 

3. Do you believe yourself divinely called to the^ 

work of the Ministry ? 

4. Do you know and believe our doctrines ? 

5. Do you understand and approve of our dis- 

cipline ? 

6. Will you preach the one and enforce the other 

to the utmost of your power ? 

7. If appointed to a Circuit, are you resolved to 

devote yourself to the important duties of 
your office ? 

8. Are you able to relinquish your present situation 

in an honourable manner ? 

9. Are you free from debt ? or will you engage to 

discharge every demand upon you to the satis- 
faction of the Meeting ? 



38 



MINISTERS. 



10. Have you formed any engagement relative to 
marriage, and will you conform to the regu- 
lations of Conference on this head ? 
After these questions have been answered, the Candi- 
date shall retire while the Meeting resumes its deliber- 
ations. If a majority approve of his being recommended 
to the Conference as a Circuit Preacher, he shall be 
called into the Meeting again, and be addressed by the 
Chairman with due solemnity. If the Meeting deter- 
mine otherwise, then a deputation shall be appointed 
to communicate the same with becoming tenderness. 
And a copy of the above certificate shall be sent to the 
Chairman of the District, to be laid before the District 
Meeting. 

23. Every Preacher taken out to travel amongst us, 
shall be considered as a probationer for not less than 
four years of active service, and so much longer as the 
Conference shall judge necessary. During this period 
he shall receive a yearly testimonial from the May 
Quarterly Meeting, answering to the following par- 
ticulars : 

1. Has he in his spirit and deportment exemplified 

the graces of the Christian character ? 

2. Has he improved during the year in his qualifi- 
cations as a preacher of the gospel ? 

3. Has his preaching been acceptable ? 

4. Have his labours been owned of God, either in 

the conversion of sinners, or in the edification 
of believers? 

5. Has he been faithful and diligent in the dis- 

charge of pastoral duties ? 

6. Has he laboured under the direction of hi« 

Superintendent, and in concurrence with him, 
to carry iato effect those rules which relate to 
the order of the societies, and the Circuit T 



MINISTERS. 



39 



7. Does his health appear equal to the duties of 

the itinerant life ? 
8 Is he able to meet his pecuniary engagements ? 
9. Will the Circuit engage to receive him at the 
close of his probation, provided he improves, 
and retains the approbation of Conference ? 

These questions must be put separately, and the 
answers may be simply " Yes," or " No," or they 
may be qualified, as " generally so," or, " not to the 
extent that might be wished." The number of votes 
for and against each answer must be specified, together 
with the whole number constituting the Meeting. The 
probationer must retire while the questions are con- 
sidered ; but should any objection be made to his having 
a full and perfect certificate, he shall be called in to 
give such explanations as he may think fit. 

24. A probationer having continued to the end of 
four years, and received testimonials from the Circuits 
during that period, according to Kule, he shall be 
personally examined under the direction of Conference, 
especially concerning his doctrinal views ; and if the 
Conference itself be satisfied as to his suitableness for 
the Ministry, his probation shall then be concluded, 
and his name appear in the next published Minutes as a 
Circuit Preacher in full Connexion. He shall be required 
to attend the Conference at which his probation tei mi- 
nates, that he may publicly give an account of his 
religious experience, the motives which led him to 
engage in the Ministry, the reason why he prefers out 
system of Church Government, and a statement of the 
doctrines he believes and teaches ; after which he shall 
receive a charge from one of the Senior Preachers, 
appointed for the purpose by the previous Conference, 
and the divine blessing be implored upon him and his 
labours. Should the Conference on the other hand, see 



40 



MINISTERS. 



good to extend the period of his probation, it shall 
communicate the reason for so doing; and the Candi- 
date shall be mindful to conform to its counsel, in order 
to be approved on the next occasion ; or should Confer- 
ence judge it necessary to set him aside altogether, 
it shall faithfully perform its duty with Christian 
affection. 

25. In consequence of their peculiar situation, our 
single Preachers shall not marry during their probation; 
and any Preacher violating this rule shall be put back 
a year on his probation : nor shall any Preacher bring 
any expense upon the Conference, or upon any Circuit, 
by reason of a wife or family, until he be admitted into 
full Connexion, and afterward only with such limitation 
in respect of children as though he were married at 
that time. 

26. Candidates appointed to study in the Theological 
Institute by the Conference, or sanctioned by the Annual 
Committee, shall receive their testimonials from the 
Committee of Education, and if satisfactory, the time 
thus spent shall be accounted on their probation ; and 
any candidate, having made a University course and 
taken out a degree of B. A. , shall be regarded as eligible 
to ordination and reception into full connexion, after 
travelling two years, if he be found otherwise eligible* 

MISCELLANEOUS RULES RELATING TO CIRCUIT PREACHERS. 

27. Our Junior Preachers, especially during their 
probation, are charged diligently to pursue their studies, 
to seek and attend to the advice of their Superintend- 
ents, whose duty it is to watch over and counsel them, 
as fathers in the Lord ; they are to be prudent in all 
their connexions, to avoid a hasty spirit, to be circum- 
spect both in their private and public walk, and by an 



MINISTERS. 



41 



agreeable and spiritual intercourse to render themselves 
useful to the families that receive them. They are 
required also carefully to study, next to the word of 
God, such portions of the works of Wesley, Fletcher, 
Watson and Cooke, as expound the doctrines of 
Methodism. 

28. The Circuit Preachers in full Connexion, shall be 
men of faith and holiness, uniting themselves in Class 
with their brethren, and discharging their ministerial 
duties with all fidelity and perseverance. They shall 
maintain the truth of our doctrines, always keeping in 
view the end of their preaching, the awakening and 
conversion of sinners, the restoration of backsliders, the 
comforting of penitent inquirers, and the edification of 
those that believe. They shall, when practicable, meet 
one or more Classes, and when they have an opportu- 
nity, attend the Meetings for religious improvement, 
enjoined in our Kules. They shall visit each family, the 
heads whereof are Members of Society, at least once in 
each quarter ; more diligently attending to the sick. 
As fellow-labourers they are to be of one spirit, holding 
affectionate intercourse together, seconding each other's 
exertions, and engaging in mutual prayer for their 
personal happiness, and the divine blessing on their 
labours. It is also required that the Superintendent 
be assisted by his colleagues in all his plans and impor- 
tant duties. 

29. Our Preachers and their families are called upon 
to be examples of frugality in their expenses, and neat- 
ness in their apparel, of cleanliness in their houses, and 
of domestic order and management. By attention to 
these things, the Preachers' wives will exalt the charac- 
ter of their husbands, and in like manner, both they 
and their children will do honour to their station. 

30. No Circuit Preacher shall engage in any worldly 
business, unless it be selling the books of the Connexion, 



42 



MINISTERS. 



31. No Preacher shall leave his Circuit during the 
time of Conference (save him who is appointed to 
attend it), without the consent of those places which 
his absence may effect. And the Preacher appointed to 
represent the Circuit, shall not leave it to attend Con- 
ference, earlier than is necessary to arrive in due time 
at the place where the Conference assembles ; and every 
Preacher is expected to arrive in his Circuit, not later 
than the second Sabbath after the Conference closes. 

32. Should any Preacher be desirous of addressing a 
Circular or Pamphlet to the Connexion, or any part 
thereof, or of issuing any publication controverting our 
acknowledged principles and existing Rules, he shall, 
previous to publishing, subject the work to the inspec- 
tion and judgment of the Annual Committee. 

33. Our Circuit Preachers in full Connexion, having 
received the sanction of the people and of the Confer- 
ence, shall be considered eligible to be appointed as 
Superintendent of a Circuit so long as their health and 
character remain consistent with such duties, and any 
of our Circuits will accept their appointment. 

34. Should any Preacher become disabled by sickness, 
from performing his labours between Conference and 
Conference, his case shall be represented to the Annual 
Committee, who shall make the best arrangement in 
their power for supplying the disabled Preacher's lack 
of service ; and should his sickness be of a nature to 
prevent him from resuming his labours, after being laid 
aside for the space of six months, his case shall be con- 
sidered a case of permanent affliction. If a married 
Preacher or a widower, he shall retain the use of the 
Circuit house and furniture, should he desire to do so, 
for the remainder of the year; and he shall receive af 
salary, the allowance to which he is entitled from the 
Superannuated Preachers' Fund ; the grant to the Cir- 



MINISTERS. 



43 



cuit, as well as the income accruing from the Circuit, 
being appropriated towards the expense of the supply ; 
should he he an unmarried probationer, such provision 
shall be made for him for the year as the annual 
Committee and Conference may deem proper under the 
circumstances. 

35. Any minister refusing to go to the Circuit to 
which he has been constitutionally appointed by the 
Conference, such refusal shall be regarded as his final 
resignation as a minister in our itinerancy, unless, in 
the proper discharge of its lunctions, the annual Com- 
mittee sanction such refusal. 

36. As a general rule, the married Preachers shall be 
considered as stationed on a Circuit for two years, and a 
single Preacher for one year ; but should any Circuit 
wish to retain a Preacher a year longer than this period, 
its request shall be considered by the Annual Confer- 
ence, and if it be expedient the request shall be com- 
plied with. 

Note. — Resolution 26 of Conference 1864 declares 
that the above " is to be interpreted as implying that 
while there is no absolute prohibition for a preacher to 
remain on a Circuit longer than the period specified in 
said rule, the rule is to be accepted as a general rule ; 
and should it be deemed necessary to continue a 
preacher on a Circuit longer than our past practice in 
the application of said article has explained it, such a 
decision shall first have the sanction of a vote of Con- 
ference, before it is acted upon by the Stationing 
Committee." 

37. In case of the death of the wife of any of our 
Ministers, he being ordained, in full Connexion, and 
then travelling a Circuit, or Mission, notwithstanding 
such decease, such Minister shall be entitled to receive 
the whole amount of his salary for that year, from th* 



44 



MINISTERS. 



Circuit, upon which he labours, the same as if his wife 
were yet living. 

38. No Itinerant Minister locating, shall be received 
again into the Itinerancy, without a recommend from 
the Quarterly Conference of the Circuit on which he 
resides ; and where there is no Quarterly Conference, 
the recommend shall come from the nearest Quarterly 
Conference to the place of his location. 

39. Supplies called out under the cognizance of the 
Annual Committee, and who may afterwards be received 
into our ministry, shall be considered as having tra- 
velled one year ; provided they have served as supplies 
for nine months. 

40. All our ministers shall be returned as members 
on those Circuits on which they labour. 

41. Our Superintendent Preachers shall be men living 
near to God, and under the influence of his Holy Spirit ; 
who can bear and forbear ; and pursue an impartial 
course amongst the people ; who can meet difficulties 
with firmness, and overcome them with Christian tem- 
per ; who count not their lives dear unto them, so that 
they may be useful to the Church of God, to their 
brethren in the Ministry, and to precious souls in 
general. 

42. The Preacher, whose name stands first in the 
Minutes of Conference, shall be the Superintendent of 
the Circuit ; and is Chairman of all the business meet- 
ings, appointed by the Discipline on his Circuit: to him 
shall be intrusted the responsibility of carrying the 
resolutions of Conference into effect, and also of enforc- 
ing the Rules of the Connexion ; he shall be accountable 
to the Quarterly Meeting, District Meeting, and to the 
Conference for these duties ; and his brethren, both Cir- 
cuit and Local, together with the Leaders' and Quarterly 
Meetings, are required to support him in their execution. 



MINISTERS. 



45 



43. It shall be his duty to attend the Local Preachers' 
Meetings, in order to assist in conducting their business. 
He shall also attend as frequently as possible tha 
different Leaders' Meetings in his Circuit : he shall 
examine the Class Papers, and see that the Leaders do 
their duty : he shall inquire into the mode adopted by 
each Leader for Meeting his Class, and give all needful 
advice on the occasion. In the whole of these duties, 
his colleagues shall cheerfully take their part, 

44. He shall be authorized to instruct and advise his 
fellow-labourers in the Ministry, with all affection and 
faithfulness, as circumstances may require, or their con- 
duct demand ; especially he shall inquire into the 
personal religion, direct the studies, and promote the 
usefulness of his brethren on probation. 

45. In conjunction with the Circuit Steward, he shall 
annually prepare, for the use of the Conference, an 
abstract of the number of Chapels, Parsonage Houses, 
Societies, Local Preachers, Members in his Circuit, and 
the deaths which have taken place during the year ; 
and he shall prepare a list of the names of the members 
on his Circuit annually, and shall lay before each Con- 
ference a duly certified copy thereof, 

46. He shall have the Books of the Connexion under 
his care, and promote their sale to the utmost of his 
power. And as the welfare of the Chapels and Trust 
Estates belonging to the Connexion is intimately con- 
nected with its prosperity, the Superintendents of the 
various Circuits are recommended to interest themselves 
therein, by promoting the regular holding of Trust 
Meetings, and the annual adjustment of Accounts ; so 
as to prevent misunderstandings, and to increase among 
our worthy friends a spirit of co-operation. 

47. Every Minister in charge of a station who shall 
neglect to take up collections for our Connexional funds 



46 



MINISTERS. 



ghall pay for each neglect the sum of four dollars, which 
fine shall go to the fund or trusts in which he is a 
defaulter. 

48. When a Preacher arrives on a Circuit and finds 
any discrepancy between the number of members in the 
Circuit and the number returned to Conference — he 
shall correspond with his predecessor — that he may 
receive his explanations ; otherwise he shall be con- 
sidered personally responsible for any error that may 
exist; and when the discrepancy is serious, and is not 
satisfactorily accounted for — the case shall be represent- 
ed to the Annual Committee to be dealt with according 
to their discretion. 

49. Every Minister locating is required to send to 
Conference annually a document notifying the Confer- 
ence of his situation and intentions for the future. 

50. The Local Elders, Supernumerary and Superan- 
nuated Ministers on the various Circuits shall be required 
to bring, or send to the Annual Conference, yearly, 
a testimonial of character similar to the one required 
from all our Preachers in full Connexion. 

51. No Preacher in charge of a Circuit shall counte- 
nance the employment of any Preacher discontinued by 
the Annual Conference. 

52. Any labour which our Superannuated Ministers 
may be able to render on the Circuits on which they 
reside, shall be under the direction of the Quarterly 
Conference of that Circuit. 



preachers' salaries. 



47 



SECTION IX. 
preachers' salaries. 

1. The married Preachers shall receive for themselves 
and wives $400 per annum, besides horse-shoeing, 
horse-feed, travelling expenses, fire-wood, and house 
rent. They shall also be provided with heavy articles 
of furniture ; whatever may be furnished in kind shall 
be reckoned off the $400. 

2. The single Preachers on probation shall receive 
$150 per annum, and should their labours on a Circuit 
require them to keep a horse, they shall receive horse- 
feed, horse-shoeing, and travelling expenses. Those 
unmarried Preachers who have finished their probation 
and are received into full Connexion, shall receive $200 
per annum and travelling expenses. No additional 
expense to be brought upon a Circuit by a Preacher 
marrying, unless he was stationed as such by the 
Conference. 

3. The salary of a married probationer shall be $200, 
exclusive of horse-shoeing, horse-feed, travelling ex- 
penses, fire- wood, and house-rent. 

4. The scale for the appropriation of all funds raised 
in the Circuits or granted by Conference for ministerial 
support, shall be in the proportion of three-elevenths to 
single, and eight-elevenths to married Preachers, in 
full Connexion. In cases where Conference shall station 
two married men on one Circuit— one a minister in full 
Connexion, the other a married probationer, unless 
otherwise ordered by the Conference, the minister in 
full Connexion shall receive two-thirds of all monies 
raised by, and granted to the Circuit, for salaries ; the 
remaining third shall be the married probationer's 
proportion. 



48 



DISTEICT MEETINGS. 



SECTION X. 

DISTRICT MEETINGS. 

1. These meetings shall be composed of all the tra- 
velling Preachers in the District, and of lay representa- 
tives, appointed by the Quarterly Meetings. Whenever 
it is practicable the lay-representative of a Circuit at 
the Conference shall be its representative to the District 
Meeting, and should more than one Circuit Preacher go 
to a District Meeting from a Circuit, such Circuit shall 
be entitled to the right of sending a corresponding 
number of lay members to the District Meeting. All 
our travelling Ministers shall be required to attend 
these meetings. 

2. A chairman shall be appointed by the Conference 
to each District, who shall be responsible for the proper 
conduct of these meetings ; but should the General 
Superintendent of Missions be present at any District 
Meeting, he shall preside on the occasion. 

3. Ordinarily, there shall be two District Meetings in 
each year, the first to be held on the 2nd Wednesday in 
October, the last to be held on the 2nd Wednesday in 
May. All other District Meetings during the year shall 
be deemed special. 

4. A special District Meeting for the transaction of 
urgent business, may be appointed at any period of the 
year, by the Annual Committee of the Connexion, or by 
the request of the Chairman of the District, and any 
two Ministers within the District —and of which 
at least ten days' notice shall be given to every 
Superintendent in the District, The Annual Committee 
shall in all cases be notified of special District Meetings, 
and no other business shall be transacted but that 
specified in the notice calling such meetings. 



DISTRICT MEETINGS. 



49 



5. The functions of ordinary District Meetings shall 
be to maintain the discipline of the Connexion in the 
Districts both as regards Ministers and Members. To 
this end, they shall be competent to arrange for Mis- 
sionary, or special services in the District, with a view 
to promote the work of God among our people. They 
shall receive, and adjudicate upon appeals made to 
them by the Quarterly Meetings of the Circuits. They 
shall take cognizance of the personal and official con' 
duct of all Ministers, and inquire into the conduct, 
studies, and general qualifications of all probationers in 
the District, and report thereon to the Annual Confer- 
ence. The District Meetings shall have full legislative 
authority, with the power to report on all matters of 
administration within their bounds; subject to the ap- 
proval of the Annual Conference. 

6. Should any Circuit deem it necessary to suspend a 
Preacher from his duties, the District Meeting on the 
appeal, either of the Preacher or the Circuit, shall ex- 
amine the case, and the parties concerned shall be 
governed by its decisions until the next Annual Con- 
ference. 

7. The May District Meetings shall take special care 
to have all the statistics, finances, and Connexional 
business of the District properly arranged, so as to 
facilitate as far as possible the business of the Annual 
Conference. 

8. The statistics of each District prepared by the Sec- 
retary of the District Meeting in regular District form, 
together with the Eesolutions and recommendations of 
the District Meetings, as well psthe spiritual state of 
each District, shall be annually presented to the Con- 
ference by the Chairman of each District. 



50 



MISSIONS. 



SECTION XL 

MISSIONS. 

Our Home Missions snail be distinguished from our 
Circuit work in the following manner: 

All Circuits and Stations, self-sustaining, shall consti- 
tute the Connexion proper, under the supervision and 
direction of the Annual Committee. 

All Circuits and Stations able to meet their local 
expenditure, independent of any grant from the Mission 
Fund, shall be placed on the list of self-sustaining 
Circuits. 

All those Circuits and Stations unable to sustain 
themselves without a grant from the Mission Fund, 
from year to year, shall stand on our Minutes of Con- 
ference as Missions. 

L This institution shall be called the Methodist New 
Connexion Missionary Society of Canada, auxiliary to 
the Methodist New Connexion Missionary Society ia 
England. 

2. The Missionary Committee shall consist of the 
General and Assistant Superintendents, the Chairman 
of each District, and a Layman from each District, who 
shall be chosen by the May District Meetings from 
among the representatives appointed by the Circuits to 
attend the ensuing Conference. 

3. Each Preacher in charge shall see to the formation 
of local committees in his Circuit, who shall appoint 
Collectors, and that the Secretary of each local commit- 
tee prepare a report for each annual meeting. 

4; A sermon shall be preached, and a missionary 
meeting held, in each principal place on each Circuit 
once a year. 

5. Any Minister in charge of a Circuit or Mission 



MISSIONS. 



51 



who shall neglect to hold Missionary Meetings on his 
charge, or to attend his own Missionary appointments 
during the year, shall not be entitled to any grant from 
the Mission fund, for himself, or the Circuit to which 
he may be sent. 

6. The proceeds of this Society shall be appropriated 
to the same purposes as the grants of the English Con- 
ference. 

7. The Missionary Committee shall have the super- 
vision and direction of all Missionary work in the 
Connexion. 

8. The Spring District Meetings shall each year 
inquire into and decide how much each Circuit and 
Mission on said District can and will raise for Mission 
purposes during the year next ensuing ; and also what 
is the sum needed by the Missions on said District for 
the same period ; and the Secretary of said District shall 
immediately report to the General Superintendent 
the decisions of the District Meetings. And the 
Missionary Committee shall meet during the sittings of 
Conference, take this report into consideration, and de- 
cide according to their best judgment upon the grants 
to be made, and the sums to be raised upon the respec- 
tive Circuits and Missions, and shall report at the third 
reading of the Stations ; which report when adopted by 
the Conference shall be final ; and in making grants 
this Committee shall be guided by the following rule : 
To first select those new spheres of labor which because . 
of their recent connection with the body may be called 
"new missions," and the claims of these shall be first 
considered and provided for. To then take a second 
class of missions, which though not new ground, are, 
nevertheless, on account of their weakness and poverty, 
entitled to the second rank in the appropriations. Then 
take a third class comprising the remaining parts of 



52 



ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 



our work, and after discontinuing the grants to as many 
of these as they shall deem proper, divide the remain- 
ing sum (if any at their disposal) in an equitable man- 
ner among the missions of the first and second class. 

9. The grants, be they more or less, shall be a pay- 
ment in full to all the Missions, and no claim shall be 
afterwards entertained by the Conference, for any de- 
ficiencies, except such as may arise from extraordinary 
circumstances, and a vote of at least two-thirds of the 
whole Conference shall be necessary to obtain a grant to 
make up any deficiency. 



SECTION XII. 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 

1. There shall be an Annual Meeting or Conference 
of Preachers and Lay Eepresentatives, for transacting 
the business of the Connexion, to be held at such time 
and place as the previous Conference shall determine. 

2. Each Circuit shall be entitled to send one of its 
Preachers and one of its Lay Members to the Confer- 
ence ; or, in cases of necessity, to be sanctioned by the 
Annual Committee, a Circuit may send one Eepresen- 
tative, provided there be alternately a Preacher and 

% Layman each time of single representation. Should 
any Circuit be unable, in the judgment of the Annual 
Committee, to send a Eepresentative, a letter accompa- 
nied by the required documents, details and collections, 
shall b3 sufficient. The Circuits sending single Eepre- 
sentatives, or written communications to Conference, 
shall nevertheless have the right to a full representation 
at any period afterwards. 

3. The Treasurer of the Connexion, the General 



ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 



06 



Superintendent of Missions, the Mission Secretary, the 
Financial Secretary, the Secretary of the Publishing 
Committee, the Representatives of the Board of Educa- 
tion, and the Editor of the Connexion Journal, shall be 
members in virtue of their official situation. 

4. Trustees of Chapels, when their legal rights are 
concerned, shall be allowed a Representative in Confer- 
ence during the time their business is transacted, but 
no longer. 

5. The Conference shall make by-laws for the regu- 
lation of its business: it shall also have the power to 
make laws, from time to time, for the government of 
the Connexion : but before any fundamental law affect- 
ing the whole body is repealed or altered, it shall take 
the sense of the Quarterly Meetings, and also consult 
the English Conference ; and after wards'form its deter- 
minations. 

6. The Conference, should it see proper, shall be at 
liberty to exercise a friendly interference in the affairs 
of all our Societies and Circuits, for the adjustment of 
existing differences, and otherwise to promote the har- 
monious and efficient working of the different parts of 
the community. 

7. The Conference, together with its Committees, 
shall discharge their various duties, uninfluenced by 
partiality, and unmoved by intimidation. The glory of 
God, and the prosperity of his cause, shall be the grand 
end of all their deliberations and procedures. The 
Conference will maintain the system for the benefit of 
the people ; and the people in supporting the Resolu- 
tions of Conference will support their dearest rights and 
privileges. 

8. The Preacher and Lay-brother who are appointed 
as colleagues, shall unite as much as possible in dis- 
charging the trust confided in them by the Circuit, 

D 



54 



ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 



agreeably to the*r instructions ; in other matters they 
shall be at liberty to follow their own judgment. 

9. The instructions brought by the Representative* 
from their Circuits, shall be delivered to the President, 
unless their nature requires them to be placed in the 
hands of others appointed to manage the description of 
business to which they relate, and these instructions 
shall be attended to in the best manner possible. 

10. No Member of Conference shall withdraw himself 
from its sittings until the business is transacted, with- 
out permission. Any Preacher who violates this Rule, 
shall be disqualified from attending the next Conference ; 
any Lay-man who does the same, shall be subject to a 
vote of censure, and be called to account at the next 
Quarterly Meeting of his Circuit. No Member shall 
be allowed to act for another except in case of sickness 
or leave of absence, 

11. All letters addressed to the President of Con- 
ference shall be post-paid, except from the officers of the 
last year ; and any letters affecting the characters of 
individuals, or the interests of Circuits, or of the 
Connexion, shall be submitted to the Eepresentatives of 
such Circuits, and to the Corresponding Member of the 
Connexion, who, with the President, shall judge whether 
and how they shall be submitted to the Conference. 

12. Each Conference shall attend to the following 
Rules, and as far as practicable, to the following routine 
in the appointment of Officers and Committees, and in 
transaction of its business : 

I. Hie President of the last Conference, or in his 
absence the last President who is present, shall take the 
Chair, and after the reading of the Scriptures by the 
Secretary, and the opening prayer, he shall call upon 
some of the brethren to assist him in reading over the 



ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 



55 



credentials, Circuit by Circuit, and in entering tha 
names of the Representatives on a roll for the use of 
Conference. 

II. After thus ascertaining who compose the Con- 
ference, the Members shall ballot for a President, quali- 
fied by his activity, judgment, experience and position 
in the Conference, for that important station ; but 
no person shall be eligible to the Chair who has not 
a majority of all the votes present. When the ballots 
are counted, if no one has a majority of all the votes 
present, the two highest on the list shall be taken and 
ballotted for again — then, should the numbers be 
equal, the President shall have the casting vote. 

III. The next business shall be to ballot, in like man - 
ner, for a Secretary, whose duty it shall be to record the 
Resolutions of Conference, and to enter in the Journal, 
or proper books, the reports of the various Committees, 
as well as to take charge of all other matters belonging 
to this office. 

IV. After these preliminaries, the Conference shall 
-again unite in prayer for Divine assistance, especially on 
behalf of the President elect, who shall afterwards take 
the chair, and address the Conference in a suitable 
manner. 

V. The next business of Conference shall be to receive 
application for the division and increase of Circuits, and 
to determine thereon, that the Representatives may be 
admitted to its deliberations. 

VI. The question concerning the~ examination of the 
Preachers' characters, shall then be proposed ; and all 
Circuit documents relating thereto, including the 
required certificates for probationers, shall be separate ly 
examined ; and the Conference shall determine on the 
different cases, as circumstances may require, according 
to the Rules of the Connexion. The Preacher appointed 



56 



ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 



to attend the Conference, shall not be deprived of his 
place at its sittings by any defect with which he may be 
charged, except in cases of alleged immorality. 

VII. An Auditing Committee, composed of one 
Preacher and one Lay-man, shall be appointed by each 
Conference, to audit all the accounts of the Connexional 
funds. 

VIII. The President shall take the earliest opportun ity 
of apprising the Members, at what time the respective 
officers will be in readiness to receive the state of the 
Connexion as to numbers, &c, the different Conference 
collections, announcing the names of these officers, and 
where they will sit for this purpose. 

IX. The Conference, in this stage, shall receive the 
report of the Annual Committee ; and either take the 
matters contained therein into consideration, or call 
upon the Secretary to note them down for that purpose 

X. Immediately afterwards, the President shall in- 
quire what business the different Members have to bring 
forward in Conference : he shall then take down the 
heads thereof, and shall make the best arrangement in 
his power (or obtain the aid of a Committee to do it) for 
introducing them successively to the consideration of 
Conference ; and this arrangement, or order of business r 
shall be read over from time to time in the Conference 
for its information. 

XL The Conference shall appoint a Committee for 
stationing the Preachers, of whom there shall be three 
Preachers and two Laymen one year, and vice versa the 
next ; this Committee shall be appointed by ballot, and 
only one Member shall be chosen from the representa- 
tives of any Circuit. The Committee shall call in the 
Lay Representatives one by one, and take down their 
instructions ; they shall also call in the Preachers, and 
take down their requests : they shall then draw up a 



ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 



5? 



plan to the best of their judgment, and as far as possible, 
in conformity with the views given them : they shall 
then read their plan for the first time in Conference, 
after which the Preachers and Representatives shall be 
again called in, and such modifications made as may be 
practicable ; the plan shall then be read a second time 
In Conference, and the Conference shall refer it a third 
time to the Committee, in order to determine any matter 
or matters of difficulty ; and the third reading shall be 
final. 

XII. The Conference shall fix upon the persons 
who shall prepare the yearly address, and draw up any 
addresses or notices that may be required. 

XIII. The names of the brethren recommended by 
the Quarterly Conferences to be employed as Circuit 
Preachers, shall be noted down, and examined case by 
case, and if needful, entered in the Conference Journal, 
to be taken out as occasion requires. 

XIV. The state of the Connexion shall next be taken 
into consideration, Circuit by Circuit, as to number of 
Members, deaths, &c, the state of the funds, &c. So 
far as is required, the Superintendent Preachers shall 
then give an account to Conference of the manner in 
which they have discharged their duties through the 
year, especially in regard to the plans they have pur- 
sued, and the discipline they have maintained in their 
respective Circuits. 

XV. The Conference shall appoint the Annual Com- 
mittee, the Treasurer of the Connexion, and any other 
Connexional officers that may be required. 

XVI. The Resolutions of Conference shall all be read 
over before it closes its sittings ; and the Conference 
shall determine what part of its minutes shall be 
published. 

XVII. The Conference shall then be closed with a 



68 ANNUAL COMMITTEF. 



parting address from the Chair, or by some 'minister at 
its request, and by commending each other and the 
Connexion to God in prayer. 

13. It shall be the bounden duty of each Lay Repre- 
sentative to assist the Superintendent Preacher of his 
Circuit to the utmost of his power, in carrying: into 
effect the Resolutions and Collections ordered by tha 
Conference during the following year. 



SECTION XIII. 

ANNUAL COMMITTEE. 

1. The Conference shall annually appoint a Commit- 
tee of five persons for transacting the business of the 
Connexion, betwixt Conference and Conference. Three 
of the Members shall be Preachers, and two Laymen one 
year, and vice versa the following year. The President 
of the Conference, with the General Superintendent of 
the Missions, shall be two of the number. The General 
Superintendent to be the Corresponding Member ; the 
remainder to be chosen by ballot, from Circuits as near 
to each other as may be found advisable, 

2. It shall be the duty of the Annual Committee to 
attend to the Resolutions of Conference, and to see that 
they are carried into effect. It shall make provision 
for such Circuits as shall in its judgment want supplies 
betwixt Conference and Conference, but without inter- 
fering with existing appointments (unless by consent of 
all concerned), or pledging the Conference beyond what 
is unavoidable. It shall also receive applications from 



ANNUAL COMMITTEE. 



59 



persons and places desirous of uniting with us, and 
determine thereon, or refer them to Conference, as it 
shall see proper. 

3. The Annual Committee shall expound the Resolu- 
tions of Conference in case of doubts (s ubject to the 
opinion of the following Conference ;) it shall order 
pecuniary payments where Conference shall have over- 
looked them, or where it isaclear they belong to Con- 
ference, and are urgently wanted. It shall give advice 
in all matters of dispute or difficulty which shall be 
referred to its consideration ; and when needful, its 
members shall consult together, or conjointly address 
the Connexion ; the charges whereof shall be paid by 
the Conference. 

4, The Corresponding Member shall receive and 
answer letters, andj communicate the decision to the 
Committee ; for which purpose he shall consult his 
brethren in office, and be guided by the opinion of the 
majority. In cases of extreme urgency, he and his 
colleagues residing in the same Circuit shall be author- 
ized to act upon their own responsibility, taking care to 
communicate their proceedings as early as possible to 
their brethren. A Member shall be entitled to enter 
his protest against any measure which he disapproves ; 
or he may resign, and the remaining Members shall fill 
up his place ; but no Member shall interrupt the 
business of the Committee on any occasion whatever. 
The Corresponding Member shall record the transactions 
of the Committee, and prepare a report for Conference : 
which report shall receive the sanction of his brethren, 
and be entered in the Book provided for that purpose. 



60 



RELIGIOUS ORDINANCES. 



SECTION XI Y. 

RELIGIOUS ORDINANCES AND MEETINGS FOR CHRISTIAN 
EDIFICATION. 

1. Public Worship , and the Ministration of the Word. — 
The hours and order of Sabbath preaching shall be fixed 
by the proper authorities. These services shall com- 
mence with singing and prayer ; in the morning and 
evening a portion of the Holy Scriptures may be read, 
after which a second hymn shal 1 be sung ; a sermon 
shall then be preached, seasonable in its nature, and 
suitable in its length to the occasion. A third hymn, 
if convenient, shall then follow, and the whole close 
with solemn prayer. 

2. Baptism. — This Christian ordinance shall be ad- 
ministered on the Sabbath, monthly, in all our Chapels, 
by our Circuit Preachers where practicable ; and also 
privately, when it is particularly requested, and the 
Minister is satisfied that the application is proper. 
In the country districts it will be proper for our friends 
to avail themselves of opportunities as the Preachers 
may visit them. This ordinance shall be administered 
to the children of our Membeis, of persons worshipping 
with us, and of others at the discretion of the Preachers, 

3. The Lord's Supper.— This divinely appointed ordi- 
nance shall be administered on the Sabbath, monthly, 
in our principal Chapels, by the Circuit Preachers, 
where it is practicable, and our people shall be exhorted 
regularly to attend upon this ordinance, both as a 
pledge of their attachment to their Redeemer, and as a 
condition of their communion with his people. 

4. Class Meetings, Love/easts, Band Meetings, and Prayer 
Meetings, shall be punctually attended to under the 



DOCTRINES. 



61 



direction of the Leaders' Meetings, or Superintendent 
Preachers. The mode of admission to Lovefeasts shall 
be determined by the Quarterly Meetings of each Circuit. 



SECTION XV. 

DOCTRINES. 

1. We believe that there is one God, who is infinitely 
perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all 
things. 

2. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New 
Testament are given by Divine Inspiration, and form a 
complete rule of faith and practice. 

3. We believe that three persons exist in the Godhead, 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, undivided in 
essence, and co-equal in power and glory. 

4. We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the 
Divine and human natures are united, so that he is 
truly and properly God, and truly and properly man. 

5. We believe that man was created in righteousness 
and true holiness, but that by his disobedience, Adam 
lost the purity and happiness of his nature; and, in 
consequence, all his posterity are involved in depravity 
and guilt. 

6. We believe that Jesus Christ has become the pro- 
pitiation for the sins of the whole world ; that he rose 
from the dead, and that he ever liveth to make inter- 
cession for us. 

7. We believe that repentance towards God, and faith 
in our Lord Jesus Christ, are necessary to salvation. 

8. We believe that justification is by grace, through 
faith, and that he that belie veth hath the witness in 



62 



CH1PELS AND FUNDS. 



himself ; and that it is our privilege to be fully sancti- 
fied in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the 
spirit of our God. 

9. We believe that man's salvation is of God, and 
that his damnation is of himself. We believe, also, that 
in the Gospel plan of redemption, men are treated as 
rational, accountable creatures ; that " it is God that 
worketh in us to will and to do of his own good 
pleasure;" and that we are to "work out our own 
salvation with fear and trembling." 

10. We believe that it is possible for man to faU 
finally from grace. 

11. We believe the soul to be immortal, and that 
- after death it immediately enters upon a state of happi- 
ness or misery. 

12. We believe in the resurrection of the body — in the 
general judgment at the last day— in the eternal happi- 
ness of the righteous — and in the endless punishment 
of the wicked. 

For the illustration of these doctrines, we refer to 
the four volumes of Mr. Wesley's Sermons, and hi§ 
Notes upon the New Testament, Watson's Theological 
Institutes, and Doctor W. Cook's Works. 

"If there come any unto you, and biing not thia 
doctrine, receive him not." 2 John, 10. 



SECTION XVL 

CHAPELS AND FUNDS OF THE CONNEXION. 

1. Chapels.— To promote the peace and stability of the 
Community, it is earnestly recommended that ail our 



CHAPELS AND FUNDS. 



63 



Uhapeis fee settled on trust for the use of the Connexion, 
according to the Deed prepared "and inserted in this Book, 

2. Our Trustees are exhorted to insure their Trust 
Property to at least two-thirds of the estimated value. 

3. To relieve the case of embarrassed chapels and 
parsonages, a Belief Fund is established, and collections 
are taken up in the Circuits in the month of January. 
The distribution of this fund is managed by a Com- 
mittee called the Chapel Committee, which shall consist 
of the Chairmen of all Districts, the General Superin- 
tendent of Missions and one Lay-brother from each 
District, being a representative to the Conference, to 
be appointed as a member of said Committee by the 
last District Meeting of each year. This Committee 
shall act only during the sittings of Conference ; and 
all chapel and parsonage business not disposed of by 
Conference, shall be transacted by the Annual Com- 
mittee, who shall act in regard to such cases as they do 
in all money payments and make appropriations 
provisionally only, and always subject to the approval 
of the following Conference. This shall be a standing 
order of Conference as to chapel and parsonage business r 

4. All Deeds and Bonds of Chapels and Parsonages 
for which claims are made on the Chapel and Parsonage 
Fund, shall be forwarded to the Treaurers of that Fund, 
for his inspection, previous to any appropriations being 
made to said estates, and no application for relief in 
favor of embarrassed trust estates shall be entertained, 
unless that before engaging in the matter, the whole 
expense, amount of land, nature of title, size and 
character of building, be first submitted to the Chapel 
and Parsonage Fund Committee for their approval. 

6. All deeds of Chapels and Parsonages are to ba 
registered in the proper County Register Office withim 
one year after they are exe:uted. 



64 



PATERNAL FUND* 



CONTINGENT FUND. 

6. A Collection shall be made through our congrega- 
tions during the month of July each year, which shall 
be immediately remitted to the Treasurer of the Con- 
tingent Fund, to be applied in enabling the Conference 
to meet the various incidental and extiaordinary 
demands upon it, for which no other provision is made. 
The receipts and disbursements of this fund shall be 
annually published in a detailed form in the Minutes of 
Conference. 

PATERNAL FUND. 

7. A public Collection shall be annually made in all 
our Chapels, and also a private one among our able 
friends, for the purpose of forming a Fund with which 
to maintain the children of our Preachers, so that they 
may be stationed without inconvenience in any Circuit 
of the Connexion : and as all our Circuits are equally 
interested in the benefits of this Fund, they shall all be 
required to promote it to the best of their power. 

8. The Preachers shall note the Births of their children 
to the Treasurer of the Fund, who shall enroll them, 
and the claim for payment shall commence from that 
time. For children under eight years, $12 per annum ; 
and from eight to twelve years, $20 per annum ; when 
they shall go off the Fund ; but no preacher shall be 
allowed his dividend who shall neglect to furnish the 
Conference with a written statement of the number and 
ages of all his children who are legally entitled to draw 
from this Fund. 

9 Ministers received on probation as married men 
shall have no claim on this Fund for children born prior 
to their reception on trial ; but for their children born 
during their probation, they shall be allowed the same 



ANNUITANT SOCIETY. 



65 



claim as for those born after their admission into full 
connection with the Conference, 

10. The public Collections and private Subscriptions 
for this Fund, shall be made between the months of 
March and April in each year . A detail-d account of 
the Contributions and Disbursements shall be submitted: 
to Conference, and published in the Minutes. 



SECTION XVII. 

SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS' ANNUITANT SOCIETY. 

The annexed Constitution of this Society is published 
by direction of the Conference, for the purpose of shew- 
ing our friends its nature and object, arid to induce 
them, if possible, to support it liberally. The absolute 
necessity of such a Society must be acknowledged by 
all, when we state that our Ministers have nothing to 
look to for support in sickness and old age but the 
funds of this Institution : their widows and orphans are 
provided for in no other way than by this Society. 
The salaries of our ministers are so low that it is im- 
possible for them, out of their salaries, to make any 
provision for their own future wants, or for those of 
their widows and orphans, should they leave any. It 
is therefore evident, that without an institution of this 
character, they must be left, in many instances, in 
circumstances of great destitution, when no longer able 
to serve the Church in the active discharge of the duties 
of the Ministry. This must not be : those who share 
the benefits of a Gospel Ministry must give this Society 
their hearty support, Every Minister in the Connexion 
is required to pay a certain amount every year ; but this 
is not sufficient to meet the demands which are 



66 SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS* FUND. 



made on the fund. Our friends should support it, 
according to the ability which God has given them, 
and with due regard to the other claims on their 
liberality. Every subscriber of two dollars and upwards 
annually is an honorary member of this Society. 

O0N8T1TUTI0N OF THE SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS* FUND. 

1st. This Society is established for the relief and sup- 
port of disabled and superannuated Preachers, and their 
widows and orphan children, in the Methodist New 
Connexion Church of Canada. 

2nd. The funds of this institution shall be derived 
from the following sources : All Ministers who now 
are, or shall hereafter be in the aforesaid Connexion, 
shall be members of this Society, and shall pay thereto 
in advance, if married, five dollars ; if unmarried, four 
dollars per annum. A public collection shall be taken 
up in each congregation in all our Circuits in the month 
of October, annually ; each Minister shall also solicit 
annual subscriptions from our members and friends. 
Also from the interest of funds invested by the Society, 
and any profits which may be derived from the Printing 
Office and sale of our publications. This last provision 
to be subject to the ratification of the Annual 
Conference. 

3rd. Every subscriber of two dollars, or upwards, per 
annum, shall be entitled to a seat and vote in the 
Annual Meetings of thi * Society ; and every subscriber 
of one dollar, or upwards, shall have his name inserted 
in the Minutes of Conference, and receive a copy of 
that publication at the expense of this Society. 

4th, This Society, at its Annual Meeting, shall appoint 
by ballot, upon nomination, a Manager, who shall have 
charge of all the monies and o h n effects of this Society, 



SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS' FUND. 67 

and on whom all orders shall be drawn. Said Manager 
shall give to the Society ample security for the true and 
faithful performance of all the duties of his office. 

6th. The Society, at its Annual Meeting, shall also 
appoint, by ballot, a Committee of four, who shall be 
styled the "Directors of the Superannuated Ministers' 
Annuitant Society f said Committee to hold office for 
two years, two of whom shall retire annually, who shall 
nevertheless be eligible to re-election. They shall 
arrange the business of the Society from Conference to 
Conference, subject to the sanction of the Annual 
Meeting, 'before which they shall yearly report their 
proceedings. They shall audit the accounts of the 
Manager, aud if found correct, shall sign the same, and 
shall produce a statement thereof, to be inserted in the 
Annual Minutes of Conference. 

-6th. Laymen, when members of this Society, and 
present at the Annual Meeting, may be appointed to 
any of its offices. 

7th. If any Preacher neglect to pay his annual sub- 
scription before the close of the sittings of the ensuing 
Conference from that at which he is taken out, then 
such Preacher shall lose a year's standing in the Society ; 
and should he still neglect to pay his subscription till 
the close of another Conference, he shall be excluded 
from all the benefits of this Society, till he has paid ten 
years thereto. 

8th. No Preacher shall be considered a free member, 
or be entitled to any of the benefits of this Society if he 
surpass the age of 32 years at the time of joining. 

9th. Any Preacher, or Preacher's widow, who shall 
leave the Connexion, or join iu church-fellowship with 
any other body of people, when the local situation of 
such annuitant will a Itnit of his or her remaining with r 
or attending the worship of God amongst the members 



68 SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS' FUND. 



of the said Connexion, shall lose all benefits arising from 
this Society. 

10th. If any Preacher's widow marry, be proven guilty 
of immorality, or should, in the opinion of Conference, 
be justly expelled from our Society, she shall be 
deprived of all benefit arising from this Institution. 

11th. If any Preacher, or Preacher's widow, shall 
sell, dispose of, or otherwise part with his or her 
annuity, either by act of law or otherwise, in whole or 
in part, he or she shall forfeit the same, and all benefits 
arising from this Society ; neither will the Society pay 
the same to such party purchasing said annuity. 

12. If any Preacher marry a woman fifteen years 
younger than himself, neither she nor aoy children 
arising from such marriage shall receive any benefit ; 
or should any member marry when superannuated, 
neither his wife, nor children arising from such mar- 
riage, shall be entitled to any benefit from this 
Society. 

13. No money belonging to this Society shall be 
advanced on loan, except on mortgage on land, and 
then only to one-half the value of such property, being 
the first mortgage. 

14th. From the time that a Preacher becomes super- 
numerary, or superannuated, his subscription shall 
cease ; but should he be restored to health, and two- 
thirds of the Conference think fit to employ him again 
as a regular Preacher, he shall commence paying 
subscriptions again, as before; but the time he has 
been unemployed in the Ministry shall not be reckoned 
as a part of his standing in this Society. But if he 
refuses to obey the call of the Conference, he shall cease 
to be a member of this Society, and forfeits all claims 
to its benefits. 

1 5th. No Minister shall be a free member, or claimant, 



SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS' FUND. 69 



unless he has travelled, and paid into the Fund for the 
term of ten years. 

16th. All back payments which the Preachers have 
not paid in shall stand as loans to the Preachers con- 
cerned, subject to interest, and their own personal 
security be received — but such Preachers shall not be 
considered free, until all arrearages be paid up. 

17th. Any Preacher who is a free member of this 
Society, and is declared by two-thirds of the Conference 
to be a supernumerary, or superannuated Preacher, shall 
receive the following allowance, viz :— if he has tra- 
velled and paid for 35 years and is married, he shall 
receive during the life of himself and wife $ 140 per 
annum ; if unmarried, or a widower $80 per annum. 
If he has travelled and paid for 30 years, then he shall 
receive during the life of himself and wife $110 per 
annum ; if unmarried, or a widower $60 per annum. If 
he has travelled and paid for 25 years, he shall receive 
during the life of himself and wife $100 per annum; if 
unmarried, or a widower $50 per annum. If he has 
travelled and paid for 20 years, he shall receive during 
the life of himself and wife $80 per annum ; if unmar- 
ried, or a widower $40 per annum. If he has travelled 
and paid for 15 years, and is married, he shall receive 
during the life of himself and wife $60 per annum ; if 
unmarried, or a widower, $30 per annum. If he has 
travelled and paid for 10 years, he shall receive in lieu 
of a permanent claim the sum of $50 per annum for a 
term of four years, when his claim shall cease. All 
annuities to be paid in half-yearly instalments, i. e., 
when there is sufficient funds in the Manager's hands 
to permit this being done . 

18th. The widow of a Minister who travelled and 
paid 35 years, shall receive during the time she con- 
tinues his widow $74 per annum ; if 30 years, $64 per 



70 SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS' FUND. 

annum ; if 25 years, $53 per annum ; if 20 years, $42 
per annum ; if fifteen years, $30 per annum ; if 10 years, 
$20 per annum. 

19th. Twenty dollars shall be allowed for itinera! 
expenses on the death of any free member, his wife, or 
widow. 

20th. Every widower who is a free member, and every 
widow of a free member, shall receive $12 per annum 
for every child he or she may be left with, until such 
child shall attain the age of 12 years, after which time 
the annuity shall cease ; but should the mother of any 
such orphan children be deficient in her duty to them f 
the Directors of this Society shall be authorized to 
appoint guardians to watch over the interests ot such 
children. 

21st. Provided, always, that when the claims upon 
the Superannuated Preachers' Fund for any year, shall 
be more than the income of such year, each claimant 
shall receive a per centage in proportion to his claim, to 
the full amount only of the current income. 

22nd. Should aay preacher desist from the Ministry, 
orH>e expelled the Connexion, he shall not be entitled 
to any benefit from this Society ; but should any 
Preacher on trial be rejected for want of ability, he 
shall be repaid all the money he has subscribed to this 
Society. 

23rd. All claimants for the orphan children of 
Preachers, shall be required to send to Conference a 
certified list of the number of said children and their 
ages, as a condition of payment of their annuity. 

24th. If any Preacher, Preacher's widow, orphan's 
benefactor, honorary member, or subscriber of $2 per 
annum, consider himself or herself aggrieved by this 
Society, then he, she, or they shall be at liberty to 



SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS' FUND. 71 

appeal in person, or otherwise, to the General Annual 
Meeting of the Society, whose decision shall be final. 

25th. It shall be competent for this Society to vary 
or alter these Rules, and make new ones, provided such 
alterations or intended new rules be proposed to the 
General Annual Meeting, and inserted in the Minutes 
of the preceding Conference, and be agreed to at the 
following Annual Meeting of the Society, by at least 
three-fourths of the members there assembled. 



THE RITUAL; 

OR, 

FORMS 

FOB THE ADMINISTRATION OF 

RELIGIOUS ORDINANCES. 



srfje slopes Supper* 

The Elder shall say, 
YE THAT DO TRULY AND EARNESTLY 
REPENT of your sins, and are in love and charity 
with your neighbors, and intend to ]ead a new 
life, following the commandments of God, and 
walking from henceforth in his holy ways ; draw 
near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to 
your comfort ; and make your humble confession 
to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your 
knees. 

Then shall the Elder say, 
WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, 
O merciful God, trusting in our own righteousness, 



THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are 
not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs 
under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, 
whose property is always to have mercy ; Grant us, 
therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy 
dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood , 
that our sinful souls and bodies may be made clean 
by his death, and washed through his most 
precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell 
in him, and he in us. Amen. 

Then the Elder shall say the Prayer of Consecration, as 
followeth : 

ALMIGHTY GOD, our Heavenly Father, who, 
of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son 
Je^us Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our 
redemption ; who made there (by his oblation of 
himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient 
sacrifice, oblation and .satisfaction for the sins of 
tne whole world : and did institute, and in his 
holy gospel command us to continue, a perpetual 
memory of that, his precious death, until his 
coming again : hear us, O merciful Father, we 
most humbly beseech thee, and grant that we, re- 
ceiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, 
according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's 
holv institution in remembrance of his death and 
passion, may be partakers of his blessed Body and 
Blood ; who, in the same night that he was 
betrayed took bread : and when he had given. 



74 



THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciple^ 
saying, Take eat ; this is my body which is given 
for you : do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, 
after supper he took the cup ; and when he had 
given thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye 
all of this; for this is my blood of the New 
Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, 
for the remission of sins; Do this, as oft as ye shall 
drink, in remembrance of me. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in 
both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the 
same to the other Ministers in like manner (if any be 
present), and after that to the people also, in order, 
into their hands. And when he delivereth the bread, 
he shall say : 

THE BODY OF OUR LORD JESUS 
CHRIST, which was given for thee, preserve thy 
soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat 
this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and 
feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving. 

And the Minister that delivereth the Cup, shall say, 

THE BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS 
CHRIST, which was shed for thee, preserve thy 
$oul and body unto everlasting life. Drink this in 
remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for 
thee, and be thankfuK 



BAPTISM OF INFANTS. 



T5- 



Then shall the Elder say the Lord's Prayer : the people 
repeating after him every petition : 

OUR FATHER who art in heaven, hallowed 
be thy name : Thy Kingdom come : Thy will be 
done on earth as it is in heaven : give us this day 
our daily bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, as 
we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead 
us not into temptation ; but deliver U3 from evil, 
for thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the 
Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Then the Elder, if he see it expedient, may put up an 
extempore prayer ; and afterwards shall let the people 
depart with this blessing : 

MAY THE PEACE OF GOD, which passeth 
all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in 
the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God 
Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you 
always. Amen. 

N. B. — If the Elder be t straitened for time, he 
may omit any part of the service, except the 
prayer of consecration. 



The Minister shall use the following, or some other 
exhortation, suitable to this sacred office. 



76 



BAPTISM OF INFANTS. 



DEARLY beloved 3 forasmuch as all men are 
conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour 
Christ saith, None can enter into the Kingdom of 
God except he be regenerate and born anew 
of water and of the Holy Ghost; I beseech you 
to call upon God the .Father, through our Lord 
Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy be will 
grant to this Child "that thing which by nature he 
cannot have ; that he may be baptized with water 
and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's 
holy church, and be made a lively member of the 
same. 

Then shall the Minister say, 
Let us Pray. 

ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD, 
who, of thy great mercy didst save Noah and his 
family in the Ark from perishing by water; and 
also didst safely lead the children of Israel, thy 
people, through the Red Sea, figuring thereby thy 
holy baptism; and by the baptism of thy well 
beloved Son Jesus Christ in the River Jordon, 
didst sanctify water for this holy sacrament, We 
beseech thee, for thine infinite mercies, that thou 
wilt look upon this child : wash him and sanctify 
him with the Holy Ghost ; that he, being 
delivered from thy wrath, may be received into 
the ark of Christ's church, and being steadfast 
in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love* 



BAPTISM OP INFANTS. 



77 



may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, 
that finally he may come to the land of everlast- 
ing life ; there to reign with thee, world without 
end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

merciful God, grant that the old Adam in 
this child may be so buried, that the new man 
may be raised up in him. Amen. 

Grant that all carnal affections may die in him f 
and that all things belonging to the Spirit may 
live and grow in him. Amen. 

Grant that he may have power and strength to 
have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the 
world and the flesh. Amen . 

Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by 
our Office and Ministry, may also be endued with 
heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded 
through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who 
dost live and govern all things, world without end, 
Amen. 

ALMIGHTY AND EVE RLIVING GOD, 
whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for 
the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his 
most precious side both water and blood, and gave 
commandment to his disciples that they should go 
teach all nations and baptize them in the name of 
the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; 
regard, we beseech thee, our supplications, and 
grant that this child, now to be baptized, may re- 
ceive the fullness of thy grace and ever remain in 
s 



78 



BAPTISM OF INFANTS. 



the number of thy faithful and elect children 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the people stand up, and the Minister shall 
say. 

Hear the words of the Gospel written by St. 
Mark, in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth 

verse ; 

They brought young children to Christ that he 
should touch them. And his disciples rebuked 
those that brought them, but when Jesus saw it, 
he was much displeased and said unto them, 
Sutler the little children to come unto me, and 
forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of 
God. — Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall 
not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, 
he shall not enter therein. And he took them up 
in his arms, put his hands upon them, and 
blessed them. 

Then the Minister shall take the child into his arms 
and say to the friends of the child, 

Name this Child. 

And then naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or 
pour water upon it, or if desired, immerse 
it in water, saying: 

JV". I baptize thee in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Then shall be said, all kneeling: 
OUR FATHER who art in heaven, Hallowed 



BAPTISM OF ADULTS. 



79 



be thy came; Thy kingdom come; thy will be 
done on earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this 
day our daily bread, and forgive us cur trespasses, 
as we forgive them that trespass against us ; And 
lead us not into temptation ; But deliver us from 
evil . Amen. 

Then shall the Minister conclude with extemporary 
Prayer. 



Mnpmm to Suci) us are of l&fper 

3Peavs- 

The Minister shall use the following or some other 
exhortation, suitable to this holy office. 

DEARLY BELOVED, forasmuch as all men 
are conceived and born in sin (and that which is 
born of the flesh is flesh, and they that are in the 
flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, commit- 
ting many actual transgressions) : and that our 
Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the 
kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and 
born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost: I 
beseech you to call upon God the Father, through 
our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous good- 
ness he will grant to these persons that which by 
nature they cannot have; that they may be bap- 
tized with water and the Holy Ghost, and received 



BAPTISM OF ADULTS. 



into Christ's holy Church, and be made lively 
members of the same. 

Then shall the Minister demand of each of the persons 
to be baptized, severally: 

Quest. — Wilt thou renounce the devil and all 
his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, 
with all covetous desires of the same, and the 
carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not 
follow or be led by them ? 

Ans. — I will. 

Quest. — Dost thou believe in God the Father, 
Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth ? and in 
Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord? 
And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 
born of the Virgin Mary ? that he suffered under 
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried t 
that he rose again the third day : that he ascended 
into heaven and sitteth at the right Hand of God 
the Father Almighty, and from thence shall come- 
again at the end of the world, to judge the quick 
and the dead ? 

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost, the 
Holy Catholk Church; the Communion of Saints; 
the Remission of Sins ; the Resurrection of the 
Body, and everlasting life after death ? 

Ans. — -All these I stedfastly believe. 

Quest — Wilt thou be baptized in this faith ? 

Ans. — This is my desire. 

Quest. — Wilt thou then obediently keep GodV 



BAPTISM OP ADULTS. 



81 



holy will and commandments, and walk in the 
same all the days of thy life. 

Ans. — I will endeavor so to do, God being my 
helper. 

Then shall the Minister say. 

MERCIFUL GOD, grant that the old Adam 
in these persons may be so buried, that the new 
man may be raised up in them. Amen. 

Grant that all carnal affections may die in them, 
and that all things belonging to the Spirit may 
live and grow in them. Amen. 

Grant that they may have power and strength 
to have victory, and triumph against the devil, the 
world and the flesh. Amen. 

Grant that they being here dedicated to thee 
by our Office and Ministry, may also be endued 
with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded 
through thy mercy, blessed Lord God, "who dost 
live and govern all things, world without end 
Amen. 

ALMIGHTY, everliving God whose most dearly 
beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of 
our sins, did shed out of his most precious side, 
both water and blood; and gave commandment to 
his disciples, that they should go teach all nations, 
and baptize them in the name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and the Holy Ghost: Regard, we 
beseech thee, the supplications of this congrega- 
tion ; and grant that the persons now to be bap- 



82 



MATRIMONY. 



tized, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and 
ever remain in the number of thy faithful and 
elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
Amen. 

Then shall the Minister take each person to be baptized 
by the Right Hand ; and placing him conveniently 
by the Font, according to his discretion, shall ask the 
name ; and then shall sprinkle or pour water upon 
him (or if he shall desire it, shall immerse him in 
water), saying, 

JV. I baptize thee in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer, all kneeling. 

OUR FATHER who art in heaven, hallowed 
be thy name: Thy kingdom come; Thy will be 
done on earth as it is in heaven : Give us this 
day our daily bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive them that trespass against us : And 
lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from 
evil. Amen. 



[First, the Banns of all that are to be married together 
must be published in the Congregation, three several 
Sundays, in the time of Divine Service (unless they 
be otherwise qualified according to law), the Minister 
saying after the accustomed manner : 

I publish the Banns of Marriage between M 



MATRIMONY. 



83 



of , and N of . If any of you know 

cause or just impediment, why these two persons 
should not be joined together in ho3y matrimony, 
ye are to declare it : This is the first [second or 
third] time of asking. 

At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of 
Matrimony, the persons to be married, standing 
together, the Man on the right hand, and the 
Woman on the left, the Minister shall say, 

DEARLY BELOVED, we are gathered to- 
gether here in the sight of God, and in the presence 
of these witnesses, to join together this Man and 
this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an 
honourable estate instituted of God in the time of 
man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical 
union that is betwixt Christ and his Church ; 
which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified 
withhia presence, and first miracle that he wrought 
in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul 
to be honourable among all men ; and therefore is 
not by any to be enterprised, or taken in hand 
unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, 
and in the fear of God. 

Into which holy estate these two persons present 
come now to be joined. Therefore if any can 
shew any just cause why they may not lawfully 
be joined together, let him now speak, or else 
hereafter for ever hold his peace. 



84 



MATRIMONY. 



And also speaking unto the persons that are to be 
married, he shall say, 

I REQUIRE and charge you both, (as you will 
answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when 
the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed), that if 
either of you know any impediment why you may 
not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you 
do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so 
many as are coupled together otherwise than 
God's word doth allow, are not joined together by 
God, neither is their matrimony lawful. 

If no impediment be alleged, then shall the Minister 
say unto the man : 

M. Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded 
wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the 
holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, 
comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and 
in health ; and forsaking all other, keep thee only 
unto her, so long as ye both shall live ? 

The Man shall answer, 
I WILL. 

Then shall the Minister say unto the Woman. 
N. Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded 
husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in 
the holy estate of matrimony ? Wilt thou obey 
him, serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in 
sickness and in health ; and forsaking all other, 



MATRIMONY. 



85 



keep thee only unto him, as long as ye both shall 
live? 

The Woman shall answer, 
I WILL. 

[Then the Minister shall cause the Man with his Right 
hand to take the Woman by her Right Hand, and to 
say after him as followeth : 

I M. take thee N. to be my wedded wife, to 
have and to hold, from this day forward, for better 
for worse, foi richer for poorer, in sickness and in 
health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, 
according to God's holy ordinance ; and thereto T 
plight thee my faith. 

Then shall they loose their hands, and the Woman with 
her Right Hand taking the Man by his Right Hand, 
shall likewise say after the Minister : 

I N. take thee M. to be my wedded husband, 
to have and to hold from this day forward, for 
better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness 
and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till 
death us do part, according to God's holy ordi- 
nance; and thereunto I give thee my faith.] 

Then shall the Minister join their Right Hands together 
and say, 

Those whom God hath joined together, let no 
man put asunder. 



Note.— That part between the brackets is sometime* 
omittted. 



86 



MATRIMONY. 



Forasmuch as M. and jV. have consented 
together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed 
the same before God and this company, and 
thereto have pledged their faith either to other, 
and have declared the same by joining of hands ; 
I pronounce that they are Man and Wife together, 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

And the Minister shall add this blessing: 

GOD THE FATHER, God the Son, God the 
Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the 
Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and 
fill you with all spiritual benediction, and .grace, 
that ye may so live together in this life, that in the 
world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen. 

Then the Minister shall say, 

OUR FATHER who art in Heaven, Hallowed 
be thy name: Thy kingdom come; Thy will be 
done on earth, as it is in Heaven ; Give us this day 
our daily bread ; And forgive us our trespasses, as 
we forgive them that trespass against us: And 
lead us not into temptation; Bat deliver us from 
-evil. Amen. 



BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 



8.7 



asuptal of ti)t JSeati- 

IT. B. — The following or some other solemn 
service shall be used. 

The Minister meeting the Corpse, and going before it, 
shall say, 

I AM THE RESURRECTION and the life, 
saith the Lord ; he that believeth in me, though he 
were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth 
and believeth in me, shall never die. John 
xi. 25, 26. 

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he 
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And 
though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, 
yet in my flesh shall I see God : whom I shall see 
for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not 
another. Job xix. 25, 26, 27. 

We brought nothing into this world, and it is 
certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, 
and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the 
name of the Lord. 1 Tim. vi. 7. Job i. 21. 

At the Grave when the Corpse is laid in the earth, the 
Minister shall say, 

Man that is born of a woman hath but a short 
time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, 
and is cut down like a flower; he fleeth as it were 
a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. 

In the midst of life we are in death : of whom 
may we seek for succour, but of thee, Lord, who 
for our sins art justly displeased? 



88 



BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 



Yet, Lord God most holy, Lord most 
mighty, holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver 
us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. 

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts : 
shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare 
us, Lord most holy, God most mighty, holy 
and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge 
eternal, suffer us not at our last hour for any pains 
of death to fall from thee, 

Then shall be said : 
I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me* ? 
Write ; From henceforth blessed are the dead who 
die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit; for they 
rest from their labors. 

Then shall the Minister say. 
Lord have mercy upon us. 
Christ have mercy upon us. 
Lord have mercy upon us. 
OUR FATHER who art in Heaven, hallowed 
be thy name : Thy Kingdom come : Thy will be 
done on earth, as it is in heaven: give us this day 
our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as 
we forgive them that trespass against us : and lead 
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, 
Amen. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the 
love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost 
be with us all evermore. Amen. 



FORM OF ORDAINING ELDERS. 89 



«$ejFormattti JWamwv'of ©rUafntitfl 

[When the day appointed is come, there shall be a 
sermon, or exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office 
0/ such as come to be admitted Elders ; how necessary 
that order is in the church of Christ, and also how the 
people ought to esteem them in their office. 

After which, one of the Elders shall present all them 
that are to be ordained, and say, 

I PRESENT unto you these persons present, 
io be ordained elders. 

Then their names being read aloud, tli3 elder shall say 
unto the people. 

BRETHREN, these are they whom we pur- 
pose, God willing, this day to ordain elders. For 
after clue examination, we find, not to the con- 
trary, but that they are lawfully called to this 
function and ministry, and that they are persons 
meet for the same. But if there be any of you 
who knoweth any impediment or crime in any of 
them, for w r hich he ought not to be received into 
this holy ministry, let him come forth in the 
name of God, and shew what the crime or impedi- 
ment is. 

[If any crime or impediment be objected, the Eider 
shall surcease from ordaining that person until such 
time as the party accused shall be found clear of the 
crime.] 



90 



FORM OF ORDAINING ELDERS. 



After this shall be read for the Gospel, part of the tenth 
chapter of St. John. 

St. John x. 1—16. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth 
not by the door into the sheep fold, but climbeth 
up some other way, the same is a thief and a 
robber. But he that entereth in by the door, is 
the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter 
openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he 
calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them 
out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, 
he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him 
for they know his voice. And a stranger will 
they not follow, but flee from him, for they know 
not the voice of strangers. This parable spake 
Jesus unto them, but they understood not what 
things they were which he spake unto them. 
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily 
I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All 
that ever came before me are thieves and robbers, 
but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door, 
by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and 
shall go in and out, and find pasture; The thief 
cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to 
destroy ; I am come that they might have life, and 
that they might have it more abundantly. I am 
the good shepherd : the good shepherd giveth his 
life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling^ 
and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are 



FORM OF ORDAINING ELDERS. 



91 



not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, 
and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them, and scat- 
tereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth because he 
is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am 
the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am 
known of mine. As the father knoweth me, 
^ven so know I the Father : and I lay down my 
life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which 
are not of this fold : them also I must bring, and 
they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one 
fold and one shepherd. 

And that done, the Elder shall say unto them as here- 
after follow eth : 

You have heard, brethren, as well in your 
private examination, as in the exhortation which 
was now made to you, and in the holy lessons 
taken out of the gospel, and the writings of the 
apostles, of what dignity, and of how great impor- 
tance this office is whereunto you are called. And 
now again we exhort you in the name of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, that you have in remembrance, into 
how high a dignity, and to how weighty an office 
ye are called : That is to say, to be messengers, 
watchmen and stewards of the Lord, to teach, and 
to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's 
family, to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed 
abroad, and for his children who are in the midst 
of this evil world, that they may be saved through 
Christ forever. 



92 FORM OF ORDAINING ELDERS. 



And now that this present congregation of 
Christ, here assembled, may also understand your 
minds and wills in these things, and that this, your 
promise, may the more move you to do your duty i 
ye shall answer plainly to these things which we, 
in the name of God and his Church, shall demand 
of you touching the same. 

DO YOU think in your heart, that you are 
truly called, according to the will of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, to the order of Elders ? 

Answer. 

Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures 
contain sufficiently all doctrines required of neces- 
sity for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus 
Christ? And are you determined, out of the said 
Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your 
charge, and to teach nothing as required of 
necessity to eternal salvation, but that which you 
shall be persuaded, may be concluded and proved 
by the Scriptures? 

Answer. 

"WILL YOU then give your faithful diligence, 
always so to minister the doctrine and sacraments, 
and discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath com- 
manded ? 

Answer. 

WILL YOU be ready with all faithful diligence 
to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange 
doctrines contrary to God's word ; and to use both 



FORM OF ORDAINING ELDERS. 93 



public and private monitions and exhortations, as 
well to the sick as to the whole within your charge 
as need shall require and occasion shall be given ? 
Answer. 

WILL YOU be diligent in prayers, and in 
reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies 
as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside 
the study of the world and the flesh ? 

Answer. 

WILL YOU be diligert to frame and fashion 
yourselves, and your families, according to the 
doctrines of Christ ; and to make both yourselves 
and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome ex- 
amples and patterns to the flock of Christ ? 
Answer. 

WILL YOU maintain and set forward, as much 
as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love among 
all Christian People, and especially among them 
that are or shall be committed to your charge ? 

Answer. 

Then shall the Elder, standing up, say, 

ALMIGHTY GOD, who hath given you this 
will to do all these things, grant also unto you 
strength and power to perform the same ; that he 
may accomplish his work which he hath begun in 
you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

When this prayer is done, the Elders present shall lay 
their hands severally upon the head of every one that 



94 FORM OF ORDAINING ELDERS. 



receiveth the order of Elders : the Receivers humbly 
kneeling upon their knees, and the Elder saying, 

THE LORD pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for 
the Office and Work of an Elder in the Church of 
God, which office is now committed unto thee by 
the imposition of our hands. And be thou a 
faithful Dispenser of the Word of God, and of his 
Holy Sacraments; In the name of the Father, andi 
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

Then the Elder shall deliver to every one of them 
kneeling, the Bible into his hand, saying, 

TAKE THOU AUTHORITY to administer 
the holy sacrament in the congregation. 
Then the Elder shall conclude by prayer. 



FORM 

OF A 

GENERAL DEED OF TRUST. 



WHEREAS in and by an Act of Parliament of that 
part of this Province, formerly known as Upper 
Canada, passed in the ninth year of the reign of King 
George the Fourth, entitled " An act for the relief of the 
Religious societies therein named, it is enacted that 
whenever any Religious Congregation or Society of 
Presbyterians, Lutherans, Calvinists, Methodists, Con- 
gregationalists, Independants, Anabaptists, Quakers, 
Menonists, Tunkers, and Moravians, shall have occasion 
to take a conveyance of Land, for the site of a Church, 
Meeting House or Chapel, or Burying-Ground, it shall 
and may be lawful for them to appoint Trustees, to 
whom, and their successors, to be appointed in such 
manner as shall be specified in the Deed, the requisite 
Land for all or any of the purposes aforesaid (not ex- 
ceeding five acres for any one congregation) may be 
conveyed, and such Trustees and their successors in 
perpetual succession, by the name expressed in such 
Deed, shall be capable of taking, holding, and possess- 
ing such land, and of commencing and maintaining 
any action in law or equity, for the protection 



98 GENERAL DEED OF TRUST. 



thereof and of their rights thereto. And whereas a Re- 
ligious Society of Methodists, have occasion to take 
such a Deed of Conveyance of a Parcel or Tract of Land, 
situate in the Township of 

and County of in the Prov- 

ince of Canada, for the site of a Meeting-House, or 
Chapel and Burying-Ground, have appointed Trustees 
by the name and style of the Trustees of the Chapel 
of the Methodist New Connexion Church of Canada, 
in the Township of Now this Indenture, 

made the day of in the year 

of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 
between of the Township of 

in the County of 
and Province aforesaid (here insert grantors, addition, and 
if married the name of his wife) of the first part, 
and (here the names, residences, and additions of the 
Trustees) the Trustees aforesaid, of the second part ; 
witnesseth that the said party of the first part, for and 
in consideration of the sum of lawful money 

of the said Province, to him in hand, paid by the said 
party of the second part, before the sealing and delivery 
hereof, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, 
hath given, granted, bargained, sold, released, confirm- 
ed, and conveyed, and by these presents doth give, 
grant, bargain, sell, release, confirm and convey unto 
them, the said party of the second part, by the aforesaid 
name and style of the Trustees of the Chapel of the 
Methodist New Connexion Church of Canada in the 
Township of and their successors to be 

.appointed in manner hereinafter specified, all the estate, 
right, title, interest, property, claim and demand 
whatsoever, either in law or equity, which he (if the 
party be named, they) hath (have) in, to or upon, all and 
singular, that certain Lot, Parcel, or Tract of Land, 



GENERAL DEED OF TRUST. 99 



situate, lying and being in the Township of 
in the County, and Province aforesaid, and which 
may be otherwise more particularly known and 
described as follows : That is to say, commencing 
(here set out the abuttals, counes, and distances) to the place 
of beginning, containing acres, be the 

same more or less, together with all and singular, the 
Houses, Out-houses, Woods, Ways, Waters, Privileges, 
and Appurtenances belonging thereunto, or in any wise 
appertaining: To Have and to Hold, all and singular, 
the above-mentioned and described Piece or Tract of 
Land and Premises so situate, lying and being as afore- 
said, together with all and singular the Houses, Out- 
houses, Woods, Ways, Waters, Privileges, and Appur- 
tenances belonging thereunto, or in any wise apper- 
taining unto them the said party of the second part, and 
their successors in the said Trust forever, for the site of 
a Chapel or Meeting House and Burying Ground, for 
the use of the members of the said Methodist New 
Connexion Church of Canada, according to the Rules 
and Discipline of the said New Connexion, in Trust and 
Confidence that they shall and will at all times hereafter 
forever, permit all and every the Ministers of the said 
New Connexion of Methodists, who are or may hereafter 
be duly licensed or otherwise authorized by the 
Conference of the said Connexion, to Preach and 
Perform Divine Service in said House, and Burial Service 
in said Burying Ground, according to the Rules, 
Discipline and Customs of said Connexion. And in 
further Trust and Confidence that the said Trustees for 
the time being shall, if they think fit, permit the regular 
Ministers of any other Protestant Denominations of 
Christians, to preach and perform Divine Service in the 
said House, when it shall not be required for the use of 
the Ministers of the said Methodist New Connexion 



100 GENERAL DEED OF TRUST. 



Church of Canada. And also in further Trust and 
Confidence, that the said Trustees for the time being, or 
a majority of them, shall and may at any time or times, 
or at such times as they or a majority of them shall deem 
expedient, set apart and appropriate so much of the 
above granted and described premises, as may be 
necessary for the use and purposes of a Parsonage or 
place of residence for the Ministers of the said Connexion 
and to build, or cause to allow to be built thereon, a fit 
and proper building for said purpose. Provided always, 
and it is hereby declared to be the true intent and 
meaning of this Indenture, and of the parties hereto, 
that if any of them the said Trustees, or any futue 
Trustees to be appointed under this present provision, 
shall die, or if any of them shall go to reside beyond the 
distance of miles from said premises, 

and continue to reside beyond such distance from 
said premises for the space of years, or shall be 

convicted of felony or any other crime, or sliall refuse or 
decline, or otherwise become incapable of acting as 
Trustees, and the said original number of Trustees for 
the time shall thereby be reduced to one-half of the 
original number ; then, and in any or either of the said 
cases, and when and so often as the same shall happen, 
it shall and may be lawful to and for the surviving or 
continuing Trustees for the time being, or a majority of 
them, with all convenient speed, by writing under their 
hands, to nominate and appoint so many other orderly 
and devout persons, being Members of the Methodist 
New Connexion Church of Canada, or frequenters of 
Divine Worship at the said Chapel, and who are known 
to be attached to the said Connexion, to be Trustees in 
the place or stead of the persons who shall so die, go to 
reside at a distance as aforesaid, or be convicted or 
become incapable to act as aforesaid, or at his or their 



GENERAL DEED OP TRUST. 101 

own request shall by the other Trustees be permitted to 
relinquish or be discharged, as shall together with, the 
then surviving or continuing Trustees make up the 
original number of Trustees, and should the said surviv- 
ing or continuing Trustees, when so reduced to one-half 
of the said original number as aforesaid, at any time here- 
after refuse or neglect to elect, nominate and appoint new 
Trustees as aforesaid, for the space of twelve months ; 
then and in every such case and when and so often as 
the same shall happen, it shall and may be lawful for 
any seven members of the said New Connexion of 
Methodists, who have been in the habit of attending 
Divine Worship at said Chapel for the space of twelve 
months then last past, and who will still continue to 
attend the same, by writing under their hands, to re- 
quire the said surviving or continuing Trustees for the 
time being to nominate proper persons as aforesaid to 
till up the vacancies in the number of the said Trus- 
tees ; and if the said surviving or continuing Trustees 
shall neglect or refuse so to do, for the space of six 
calendar months after such, notice or request in writing 
shall be given as aforesaid, then and in such case, and 
when and so often as the sime shall happen, it shall 
and may be lawful for the same, or any other seven 
Members as aforesaid, to call a meeting of the other 
Members of the said Connexion who attend said Chapel 
for the purpose of Divine Worship together with the 
officiating Minister or Ministers for the time being; 
and it shall and may be lawful for the persons so attend- 
ing such Meeting, or a majority thereof, to nominate, 
elect and appoint, such and so many fit and proper 
persons as aforesaid, to be such new Trustees as will 
make up the original number as aforesaid ; and the 
Trustees so nominated and appointed in either of the 
above cases or modes, shall be held and deemed to be 

F 



102 GENERAL DEED OF TRUST. 



the lawful Successor or Successors of the said above 
named Trustees of the second part, and shall have in 
perpetual succession the same capacities, rights, 
powers and duties as are given to the said above-named 
Trustees, in and by this Indenture, and by the Statutes 
above referred to. 

And to the intent and end that evidence of the due 
nomination and appointment of succeeding Trustees, 
in the said trust, may be preserved, the Trustees for 
the time being are hereby required to keep a Book of 
record, in which the name or names of any person or 
persons nominated and appointed as aforesaid, and also 
the manner of the nomination and appointment, and all 
the proceedings relating thereto, shall be entered, and 
such entry shall be subscribed by the Trustees making 
the appointment, or if made by a meeting of Members 
as above provided for, to be subscribed by at least seven 
of the said Members so making such nomination and 
appointment— ( Here insert the following clause if the party 
he married). And this Indenture further witnesseth 
that the said wife of the 

above-named for and in consideration 

of the sum of one dollar of lawful money aforesaid, to 
her in hand paid by them the said party of the second 
part, hath remitted, released, and forever relinquished, 
and by these presents doth remit, release, and forever 
relinquish unto them the said party of the second part, 
and their successors duly appointed as aforesaid, all 
and all manner of Dower and Right or Title of Dower 
whatsoever, which she the said 

in the event of surviving her said husband, might or of 
right ought to have or claim in, to and out of the said 
certain parcel or Tract of Land and Premises above- 
mentioned, and every Part and Parcel thereof, and all 
manner of Action or Actions and Writ or Writs of 
Dower whatsoever. 



MEMORIAL FOR DEED OF TRUST. 103 



In -Witness Whereof, we the said parties_to_ this 
Indenture, have hereunto set our hands and seals, on 
the day and year above written. 

Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of 

( The parties sign in the same order in which their names are 
mentioned in the Deed.) 



FORM OF MEMORIAL FOR DEED OF TRUST. 

A MEMORIAL, to be Registered pursuant to the 
Statute in such case made and provided, of an Indenture 
of Bargain and Sale made under and by virtue of an Act 
of the Parliament of that part of the Province of Canada 
formerly known as Upper Canada, passed in the ninth 
year of the Reign of King George the Fourth, entitled 
i '• An Act for the relief of the Religious Societies therein 
named," made the day of in the year 

of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
between of the Town of 

in the County of and Province aforesaid, 

(here insert the grantors' addition, and if married, loifes 
name ) of the first part, and ( here add names, residences 



104 MEMORIAL FOR DEED OF TRUST. 



and additions of the Trustees as in the Deed ) Trustees of the 
Chapel of the Methodist New Connexion Church of 
Canada, in the Township of of the 

second part, whereby it is witnessed that the said 
party of the first part, for and in consideration of the 
sum of lawful money of the said 

Province, to him in hand paid by the said party of the 
second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowl- 
edged, hath given, granted, bargained, sold, released, 
confirmed and conveyed unto the said party, of the 
second part, by the name and style aforesaid, and their 
Successors to be appointed in manner thereinafter speci- 
fied, all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Property, 
Claim and demand whatsoever, of him the said party of 
the first part in, to, or upon all and singular a certain 
Parcel or Tract of Land and Premises, situate, lying 
and being in the Township of 

in the County and Province aforesaid, and which 
may be more particularly known and described as fol- 
lows : That is to say, commencing at (here set out the 
abbuttalSy courses and distances as in the Deed) to the place 
of beginning, containing acres, be the 

same more or less, together with all and singular the 
Houses, Out-Houses, Woods, Ways, Waters, Privileges, 
and Appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in any 
wise appertaining: To Have and to Hold, all and 
singular the above-mentioned and described Parcel or 
Tract of Land and Premises, with all and singular the 
Houses, Out-Houses, Woods, Ways, Waters, Privileges, 
and Appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in any wise 
appertaining unto them the said party of the second 
part, and their successors in the said Trust forever, for 
the site of a Chapel or Meeting-House and Buryiug- 
Ground, for and upon certain Uses and Trusts in the 
said Indenture mentioned; (if grantor be married insert 



MEMORIAL FOR DEED OF TRUST. 105 



as follows : and whereby it is also further witnessed for 
the further consideration therein mentioned, that the 
said wife of the said 

hath remitted, released, and forever 
relinquished unto the said party of the second part, and 
their successors, all and all manner of Dower, which 
she might or would be entitled to in the event of her 
surviving her said husband, in the said Parcel or Tract 
of Land and Premises thereby conveyed, and which said 
Indenture is witnessed by of &c, 

and this Memorial is hereby required to be registered 
by the said party of the part 

therein named. 

Witness Hand and Seal this 

day of in the year of our Lord 

one thousand eight hundred and 

Signed and Sealed in Presence of. 



APPENDIX. 



CHAPEL DEEDS. 

" An Act respecting the Registration of Instruments 
relating to Lands in Upper Canada, assented to on the 
18th of September, 1865," makes many important 
alterations on the old law on this subject. The Registrar 
and other legal authorities at London inform us that 
by its provisions, no memorials can in future be registered, 
but that the Deeds must be registered at full length. If 
this be correct, Memorials will no longer be needed — 
two copies of the Deed requiring to be executed. See 
quotations under, 

London, April 5th, 1866. W. T. 

From the Statutes of Canada, passed in the 29th year 
of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Anno 
Domini, 1865, chapter 24, sections 30 and 31, page 
102 — "All Instruments that may be registered under 
this act shall, on and after the first day of January 
next, be registered at full length, including every cer- 
tificate and affidavit, excepting certificates by the 
Registrar accompanying the same, upon and by the 
delivery to the Registrar of the original instrument 
where but one is executed, or when such instrument is 
in two or more original parts, upon and by delivery of 
one of such parts. 

In case one of two or more original parts is registered, 
the Registrar shall endorse upon each of such original 
parts a certificate of such registration, and such original, 
so certified, shall be received as prima facia evidence of 
the registration and of the due execution of the same." 



108 



APPENDIX. 



PROBATIONERS 

All Probationers shall diligently pursue such studies, 
as shall be prescribed from time to time by the Board 
of Education, and shall subject themselves to suck 
yearly examinations as the Conference may direct. 

All Probationers ordained for special purposes shall 
be particularly examined respecting their understanding 
and approval of the polity of the Methodist New Con- 
nexion Church. 

The requisitions in the course of study do not super- 
cede, or set aside any of the requirements of our 
Discipline in such cases provided. 

The following questions shall be proposed to each 
candidate pvblicly at each May District Meeting, by the 
Chairman of the District — the answers to which shall be 
faithfully recorded in the District Book, and brought to 
Conference for the inspection of the Board of Education 
and Conference in forming their decisions on the merits 
of each candidate : 

1. Have you daily and prayerfully read the word of 
God during the year? 

2. Have you a time specially set apart for this sacred 
duty ? 

3. Have you a definite rule as to the order or amount 
of such daily readings ? 

4. Have you read the Bible regularly through once, or 
oftener, during the year ? 

5. What part of Mr. Wesley's doctrinal works have 
you studied this year ? 

6. What part of Mr. ^Fletcher's writings have you 
studied this year ? 

7. What other works, helpful to personal piety or 
ministerial usefulness, have you read ? 

8. Have you any rule by which you apportion your 



APPENDIX. 



109 



time for the attainment of personal holiness, for study 
and for pastoral duties ? 

9. Have you carefully visited the sick under your 
<eare during the year ? 

10. Have you had fruit of your ministry in the con- 
version of sinners ? 

11. Have you paid attention to the establishment of 
ISabbath schools; and have you catechized the children 
of those schools, and of our friends and hearers, as you 
have had opportunity ? 

12. Have you visited the people at their houses, 
^enquiring into their religious state, praying with them, 
and administering to them wholesome counsel ? 

13. Have you carefully read over our Discipline 
^during the year, and has it your approval and confi- 
dence ? 



FORM OF BEQUEST. 

• 1 give and bequeath to the 14 Superannuated Minis- 
ter's Annuitant Society" of the Methodist New Connex- 
ion Church of Canada, the sum of 
Dollars, to be applied to the charitable uses and pur- 
poses of said Society. 

Signed this day of A. B. 

A.D., 18 (Testator.) 

1 . 



Witnesses. 



J 



Three witnesses should state that the testator declared 
this to be his last will and testament, and that they 
signed it at his request and in his presence, and the 
presence of each other. 



INDEX. 



The figures refer to the page. 

Articles or Union , 9 

Advertisement to Present Edition. 

Appendix - - 107 

Annual Conference — Who compose the 52-53 

Makes laws for the whole Connexion . . . 53 
Fundamental laws referred to Quarterly 

C Conferences for sanction 53 
Elects its President and Secretary by 
* ballot. 55 

President must have a majority of all the 

votes. 55 

Eoutine of business ,54-57 

A final court of appeal 49 

Annual Committee— Elected by Annual Conference 58 
Transacts business of Connexion from 

Conference 58 

Supplies vacancies arising during the year 53 
Expounds resolutions of Conference. ... 59 
Eeceives applications from persons and 

places desirous of uniting with church 59 
Orders payments overlooked by the Con- 
ference 59 

General Superintendent is corresponding 

member 58 

President of Conference an ex-officio 
member , , . « , .................... 58 



112 



INDEX. 



Auditing Committee — Annually appointed by the 

Conference - 56 

Baptism— To be administered in churches monthly . 60 

Form for Baptism of infants * . 76 

Form for Baptism of adults 79 

Burial Service 87 

Circuit Stewards— Appointed by February Quar- 
terly Conference for two years 30 

One retires annually 30 

They attend all Quarterly Meetings. t . . . 31 

Beceive and disburse payments 31 

Record resolutions of Quarterly Meetings 81 # 

Assist superintendent minister 31 

Provide houses and furniture for minis- 
ters, and see that repairs are done. ... 31 
Take yearly inventory of Circuit furni- 
ture 31 

Register members' names 31 

Prepare and sign credentials and Circuit 

documents for Annual Conference .... 31 
Circuits — Refusing to receive ministers appointed 

by Annual Conference .... 30 

Class Meetings — To be punctually held 60 

Attendance on a condition of membership 14 

Neglect of 14 

Churches or Chapels — To be deeded according to 

form in discipline . , 63 

To be registered within 1 year 63 

To be insured 63 

Deed for Chapels, form of 97 

See appendix. 

Chapel and Parsonage Fund — Object of 63 

Chapel Committee — how constituted. ... 63 

Its powers expire with Conference , 63 

Business then managed by Annual Com- 
mittee 63 



INDEX. 



113 



Conditions on which grants to Chapels 

and Parsonages are made 63 

Collections — To be taken up annually for Contin- 
gent Fund in July , . . . 64 

Superannuated Fund in October 66 

Chapel Fund in January 63 

Paternal Fund in March or April 66 

District Meetings— Of whom composed , 48 

When held 48 

Arrange for Missionary and special 
services 49 

Take cognizance of Ministers, and main- 
tain discipline in general 49 

Have full legislative* powers in matters 
within their jurisdiction, subject to 
appeal to Annual Conference 49 

May receive appeals from suspended 
Preachers 49 

District Reports, schedular returns, 
resolutions and recommendations of 
District Meeting, to be prepared by 
District Secretary for Annual Con- 
ference 49 

District Meetings shall inquire into studies 
and general qualifications of proba- 
tioners, and report to Conference 49 

For programme of questions to be asked 
of the Probationers by the Chairman, 
see appendix. 

Provisions for special District Meetings. . 48 
Doctrines of the Methodist New Connexion Church . 61 
Deed— For Connexional property, 97. See appendix. 
Discrepancies in Circuit returns ; how adjusted. ... 46 
District Chairman — Appointed by and responsible 

to Conference 48 



114 INDEX. 

Duties of 49 

See appendix— Probationers. 
Exhorters — To first act under the direction of Su- 
perintendent Preachers , ... 32 

Then under the Quarterly Meeting 32 

Their manner of speaking 32 

Government— Of each Society vested in itself 17 

Churches federated in a Circuit 17 

And represented in a Quarterly Con- 
ference 17 

Also in District Meetings and Annual 

Conference 17-18 

G bants to Missions — Made by the Missionary Com- 
mittee -. . 51 

Principles upon which these grants are 

made , 51 

Grants made by the Committee, a pay- 
ment in full 52 

History of Methodist New Connexion Church of 

Canada 5-7 

Introduction to Edition of 1841. See page 5. 

Leaders — Qualifications for e 21 

Manner of appointment 21 

To meet their classes weekly 22 

Inquire into their spiritual state 22 

Inquire after absentees and visit them . . 23 

Note attendance in Class-book 23 

Visit the sick members 23 

Urge faithful attendance upon the Lord's 

Supper 23 

Leaders' Meetings — To be composed of the Leaders, 
Society Stewards, representatives of 
female classes and Preacher's class, 

with the Circuit Preachers 23 

Not a General ^Meeting for these officers 



INDEX. 115 

from the whole Circuit, but a meeting 
of these officers belonging to each par- 
ticular Society 24 

Leaders' Meetings examine Class Books . . 23 
Elect new officers and fill up vacancies . . 23 
Pay the class money into the hands of 

the stewards. . , 2Z 

Superintend all other matters of the 

Society 23 

Co-operate with Ministers in maintaining 

discipline 24 

Local Elders — Amenable to the Quarterly Con- 
ference, which directs their labors. ... 38 . 
How they may secure a seat in the An- 
nual Conference 36 

^ocal Preachers — Qualifications for 32 

How brought forward 33 

On trial four quarters §3 

How received into full standing 34 

Shall conform to discipline ; be punctual 

in filling appointments 34 

Local Preachers' Meetings — To be held previous to 

each Quarterly Meeting 35 

Composed of Circuit and Local Preachers . 35 

Duties of 35 

Aggrieved Local Preachers may appeal to 

Quarterly Conference 34 

Lord's Supper — Shall be publicly administered in 
our Churches monthly, when prac- 
ticable 60 

Attendance upon, a condition of member- 
ship 60 

Form for the administration of 72 

Love Feasts — The mode of admission to be deter- 
mined by the Quarterly Conference. . . 6q 



116 



INDEX. 



Lay Representatives to Annual Conference — Nomi- 
nated by February Quarterly Conference . 28 

Elected by the vote of the members in 
Society Meetings 18 

Or by the Quarterly Conference 28 

In case a Lay Representative, elected by 
the vote of the membership, becomes 
disqualified from attending the Annual 
Conference, the May Quarterly Con- 
ference may fill up the vacancy without 
another appeal to tbe members 28 

Lay Representatives and Ministers repre- 
senting a Circuit, to be united in 
discharging the trust Circuit confided 
in them ; in all other matters, each 
may follow his own judgment 53 

Lay Representatives lay their instruc- 
tions from the Circuits before the 
Stationing Committee 56 

Must assist the Minister in carrying out 
the resolutions of Conference on Circuit . 58 

Lay Representatives to Conference to 

attend District Meetings 48 

Lay Members— Subscribing $2 shall be members of 
the Superannuated Minister's Annui- 
tant Society . . . . , 66 

Lay subscribers of $1 to that Society re- 
ceive a copy of Minutes of Conference, 

with their names inserted 66 

Members of Society. — First received on trial 12 

Must read Rules , 13 

Contribute quarterly for the support of 
the gospel 13 

Attend class and otber means of grace. . 13 
Duties toward each other 13 



INDEX. 



117 



General social and religious duties. . . .13-15 

Matrimony — Form for solemnization of 82 

Ministers or Circuit Preachers — Qualifications for 36 

How called to the work 36-38 

Four years on probation 38 

University graduates, two years 40 

Must produce yearly testimonials 38 



Shall not marry during his probation . . 40 
To pursue such studies as Board of Educa- 
tion may prescribe and attend yearly 
examinations. (See Appendix.) 



How received into full Connexion 39" 

No Minister to engage in worldly busi- 
ness 41 

Duties of Junior Preachers to Superin- 
tendents 40 

Books to be carefully studied 41 

Married Ministers stationed for two years . 48 

Exceptions ,._ . 43 

Single Preachers stationed for one year . 43 
Ministers not to absent themselves from 

their Circuits unnecessarily 42 

Not to agitate the Connexion without 

consent of the Annual Committee. ... 42 
May be appointed to Circuits so long a-< 
health, character, and acceptability 

permit . « 42 

Refusing, after Conference, to go to his 
station, an act of withdrawal from the 

Ministry 43 

Disabled Minister to retain parsonage for 
the yfcar and to receive superannuated 

allowance in lieu of salary 42 

Nine months' supplies to be allowed one 
year on probation 44 



118 



INDEX. 



Located Ministers returning to service to 

bring recommendations 

Unmarried Preachers to pay $4 annual- 
ly, and married Ministers $5 to 

Superann aated Fund 

Ministers to meet in class 

Missions -How distinguished. . . 

Missionary Committee ; how constituted 

Its functions 

Mode of making grants, &c 

Members or Congregations — How returned 

Ordination or Elders — Form and manner of 

Public "Worship— How conducted 

Paternal Fund— Design of 

Collections to be made in March or April 
Claims for Ministers' children. ....... . 

For children of married Probationers . . 
Written statement of the number and 
ages of children on the fund to be 



made to Conference, 

Quarterly Conference— When held 26 

Of whom composed 26 

Pay Ministers' claims 2 

Pay for Minutes of Conference 2 

Fix apportionments on Classes 2 

Arrange Plan of Appointments 2 

Apply to Annual Committee for supplies 2 

Adjudicate on appeals 2* 

Admit and graduate Exhorters and 

Local Preachers 2 

Eecommend Local Preachers for the 

itineracy 2 

Inquire into the character of the Local 

Preachers and Ministers on Circuit, 

and report to Annual Conference ..... 3 



INDEX. 



119 



Prepare all Circuit documents, creden- 
tials, &c. , for Annual Conference ...» 27 
Nominate and confirm appointment of 
Lay Eepresentatives to Annual Con- 
ference » 28 

Support Ministers and co-opeiate with 

Chapel Trustees 29 

Salaries of Ministers— Married 47 

Single Probationers • 47 

Unmarried Preachers in full standing . . 47 

Married Probationers * . . . , 47 

Proportion of payments to Ministers ... 47 

Ministers' salary if his wife dies 43 

House, fuel, horse feed, shoeing and 
traveling expenses allowed to Min- 
isters 47 

Society Meetings— Object of 18 

To be held quarterly 18 

Elect Society Stewards 18 

Elect representatives to Quarterly Con- 
ference 18 

Make the annual return of Members. . . 18 
Express views on candidates for Ministry 1 8 
Vote for representative to Annual Con- 
ference 18 

Society Stewards— Qualifications for 24 

Elected yearly after February Quarterly 

Conference 24 

Nominated by a Leaders' Meeting and 

appointed by a Society Meeting 24 

Superintendent Minister nominates 

when there is no Leaders' Meeting ... 24 

Duties of the Stewards 24-25 

Superannuated Ministers — To labor under direc- 
tion of the Quarterly Conference 

where they reside . 46 



120 



INDEX. 



Superannuated Ministers' Fund — Object of 65 

Income — how raised 66 

Honorary members 66 

Annual Meeting appoints Manager by 

ballot 65 

Duties of that officer 66 

Shall give security to the Society 67 

Annual Meeting; appoints four Directors 

by ballot 67 

Two of whom retire annually 67 

Eligible to re-election 67 

Duties of Directors 67 

Laymen eligible to any office in the so- 
ciety 67 

Ministers must be under thirty-two when 

joining as benefit members 67 

Ten years payment constitutes a free 

member and claimant 69 

Benefits in this fund forfeited by neglect- 
ing paying annual subscription ...... 67 

By leaving church 67 

By transferring annuity 68 

By a widow claimant marrying again, or 

guilty of immorality 68 

A minister desisting or being expelled 

from the ministry 70 

Ministers' widows fifteen years younger 
than their husbands, have no claims, 

nor their children 68 

Scale of payments to Superannuated 

ministers 69 

Payments to widows 69 

Funeral expenses 70 

Payments to orphan children 70 



INDEX. 121 

Proviso, in case income falls short of 
meeting annual demand 70 

Claimants for children must send a list 
of such and their ages to Conference . . 70 

Superannuated ministers regaining their 
health must return to work, or forfeit 
their claims. . , , 68 

Monies to he only invested by loan on 
mortgage to one-half value of property 68 

Subscriptions to be paid annually in ad- 
vance 6 5 

Stationing Committee — Composed of ministers and 

laymen 56 

To consult all the representatives of Cir- 
cuits and ministers present 56 

To read plan of appointments 3 times, 

third time to be final 57 

Subscriptions — To be taken yearly in all Circuits in 

aid of Superannuated Ministers' Fund 66 
Trial of Accused Members — No member in full 
standing shall be deprived of privileges 
without a fair trial 19 

Preliminary steps to be taken 13 

Lay members tried by leader's meeting. 20 

Or by the society to which they belong . . 20 

Or by a committee 20 

But accusers and witnesses shall not vote 
cn the case 20 

Accused to have copy of charges sent one 
week before trial 19 

If aggrieved by decision, may appeal to 
Quarterly Conference 20 

How tried when minister is implicated . 20 
Trial or Accused Ministers — By a Quarterly or 

Special Meeting • . 19 



INDEX. 122 

Must have seven days' notice. 19 

Trial, how conducted 19 

Annual Committee to be consulted, if 

possible 20 

And report to it in all cases 20 

May suspend preacher until next Confer- 
ence 19 



He may appeal to the District Meeting.. 49 



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